DEC   3  1918 

< 


BX  5930  .K63 

1918 

Knowles ,  Archibald 

Campbell, 

1865-1951. 

The  practice 

of  re 

ligion 

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in  2009  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Tlieological  Seminary  Library 


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THE  PRACTICE  OF  RELIGION 


O,  COME  ALL  YE  FAITHFUL;   O,  COME  LET 
US   ADORE   HIM,  CHRIST  THE  LORD." 


DEC   3  191 

Practice  of  Religion. 


A  SHORT  MANUAL  OF 

INSTRUCTIONS  AND  DEVOTIONS 

ILLUSTRATED 


BY  THE  REVEREND 

ARCHIBALD   CAMPBELL   KNOWLES 

RECTOR  SAINT  ALBAN'S  CHURCH,  OLNEY,  PHILADELPHIA 
AND  AUTHOR  OF 

'  The  Holy  Christ  Chi  Id,"  "The  Triumph  of  the  Cross, 
"Come  Unto  Me,"  -'The  Belief  and  Worship 
of  the  Anglican  Church."  etc. 


ELEVENTH  EDITION 

WITH  A  PREFACE  BY 

THE  RIGHT  REVEREND 

CHARLES  CHAPMAN  GRAFTON,  S.T.D. 
Sometime  Bishop  of  Fond  du  Lac 


EDWIN  S.  GORHAM 

11,  west  45th  street 

New  York 
1918 


Copyright,    191 1   and   1918 
By    Archibald    Campbell    Knowles 


TO 

THE  GLORY  OF  GOD 

AND 

IN   HONOUR 

OF  THE 

MOST   COMFORTABLE  SACRAMENT 

OF  THE 

BODY  AND  BLOOD 

OF 

CHRIST 


OUR  OFFERING  TO  GOD 

"  First  give  thyself  to  God  :  then  to  the  work  God  gives 
thee  to  do." 

(Saint  Augustine.) 

**  npAKE  my  life  and  let  it  be 
A       Consecrated,  Lord,  to  Thee. 

Take  my  moments  and  my  days 
Let  them  pass  in  endless  praise. 

Take  my  eyes  and  let  them  see 
Souls  that  may  be  saved  for  Thee. 

Take  my  hands  and  let  them  move 
At  the  impulse  of  Thy  love. 

Take  my  feet  and  let  them  be 
Bent  on  works  of  love  for  Thee. 

Take  my  voice  and  let  me  sing 
Prayers  and  praises  to  my  King. 

Take  my  lips  and  let  them  be 
Filled  with  messages  from  Thee. 

Thus  my  life  will  truly  be 
Consecrated,  Lord,  to  Thee." 

"  We  offer  and  present  unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  ourselves, 
our  soi4ls  and  bodies,  to  be  a  reasonable,  holy  and  living 
Sacrifice  unto  Thee." 


PREFACE 

TO  THE  ELEVENTH   EDITION 

IT  is  a  source  of  much  gratification  to  the 
Author,  that  this  book  of  Instructions  and 
Devotions  has  been  so  well  received  and  so 
favourably  commended,  both  in  this  country 
and  abroad. 

It  was  written  as  a  labour  of  love  to  help 
souls  appreciate  the  great  privileges  and  bless- 
ings of  the  Christian  Religion  as  given  to  us 
in  the  Holy  Catholic  Church,  the  Divine  In- 
stitution of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The 
best  reward  of  one's  work  is  the  knowledge 
that  it  has  brought  many  on  the  road  to  God 
and  helped  make  religion  real  and  its  practice 
loved. 

In  preparing  this  new  issue  the  Author  has 
spared  neither  time  nor  trouble  to  make  it 
as  helpful  as  possible,  having  practically  re- 
written many  parts,  and  made  considerable 
addition  and   improvement. 

The  intention  is  to  present  such  Instructions 
and  Devotions  as  may  minister  to  the  spiritual 
life,  make  a  well-informed  Churchman  and 
prepare  for  the  right  reception  of  the  Sacra- 
ments. 

Throughout  it  is  meant  to  be  eminently 
practical,  easily  adaipted  to  the  varying  needs 
of  different  persons.  It  aims  clearly  and  con- 
cisely to  set  forth  and  explain  "the  Faith 
once  for  all  delivered  to  the  saints."  It 
also  offers  Forms  of  Devotion,  simple  and 
dignified,  from  Ancient  and  Modern  sources,  by 


Vlll  PREFACE 

which  we  may  worship  God  "in  spirit  and  in 
truth."  And  in  both  the  Instructions  and  the 
Devotions  there  is  the  ever  present  thought  of 
developing  Christian  character  and  of  bringing 
forth  the  "beauty  of  holiness." 

It  is  believed  that  all  herein  contained  is 
in  perfect  accord  with  the  accepted  teaching 
of  the  Church  and  Scriptures,  the  Author 
being  the  first  to  reject  anything  that  will 
not  stand  this  test.  There  are,  of  course, 
many  things  which  might  have  heen  included 
with  profit,  but  then  brevity — one  object  of 
this  book — would  have  been  lost. 

In  once  more  asking  God's  blessing  uipon  this 
book  and  giving  it  again  to  the  public,  the 
Author  would  counsel  all  to  a  more  extended 
study  of  "those  things  which  a  Christian  ought 
to  know  and  believe  to  his  soul's  health,"  and 
to  a  clearer  realization  of  their  Catholic  heri- 
tage in  Doctrine,  Discipline  and  Worship.  For 
the  Anglican  Communion,  should  enlist  the 
love  and  loyalty  of  all  her  members  as  that 
part  of  the  True  Church  "unto  which  it  hath 
pleased  God  to  call  them."  And  it  offers  rich 
measure  of  privilege  and  blessing  to  those  now 
outside  her  fold  who  turn  to  her  and  accept 
the  "Faith  once  for  all  delivered  to  the  Saints." 
And  in  this  day  of  attacks  within  and  attacks 
without  it  is  the  duty  of  all  bravely  and  faith- 
fully to  fight  the  battle  to  preserve  the  Ancient 
Faith  and  Practice  free  from  "false  doctrine, 
heresy  and  schism,"  and  to  show  forth  in 
their  lives  the  reality  of  the  Religion  they 
profess.  With  this  counsel  the  Author  again 
sends  out  this  Book. 

Trinity,   1918. 


A  FOREWORD 

By  the  Right  Reverend  C  C.  Grafton,  D.D., 

Sometime  Bishop  of  Fond  du  Lac. 

^TpHIS  is  a  book  of  Instruction  in  the  Faith 
■*"  and  of  Prayers.  It  is  simple,  clear, 
definite  in  its  teaching  and  loyal  to  our  An- 
glican position  as  a  portion  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  It  gives  to  humble  and  devout  minds 
an  outline  of  the  Faith  and  the  Catholic  Re- 
ligion which  is  of  sterling  value.  In  times 
when  minds  are  tossed  about  upon  a  sea  of 
doubt,  here  a  safe  harbour  and  resting-place 
can  be  found.  The  longing  the  soul  has  for 
certainty  and  security  is  here  provided,  for  it 
brings  Christ  home  to  the  soul.  Our  Lord 
is  Himself  the  Revelation  of  God  to  man.  He 
is  God  manifest  in  the  Flesh.  This  revelation 
of  Himself  in  truth  and  life  and  power  He 
makes  known  and  applies  to  us  in  and  through 
His  Church.  He  dwells  in  it,  making  it  a 
spiritual  organism  in  which  we  are  elevated 
into  a  new  and  spiritual  union  with  God. 

This  book  is  a  devotional  one.  By  its  faith- 
ful use,  God  will  reveal  and  communicate  to 
the  loving  soul  the  riches  of  His  Grace.  Bet- 
ter far  than  anything  the  world  can  give  are 


X  FOREWORD 

the  everlasting  riches  of  light  and  strength, 
of  peace  and  joy  which  He  bestows.  A  life 
of  devotion  is  a  life  with  God.  Happy  and 
blessed  in  this  life  are  all  they  who  walk  with 
Him  and  love  Him  and  are  devoted  to  His 
Person  and  work  for  the  extension  of  His 
Kingdom. 

May  this  book  be  of  service  to  all  who  use 
it  and  walk  by  its  loving  counsels  and  may 
they  make  it  known  to  others. 

*i»  C.  C.  Fond  du  Lac 


CONTENTS 


PART   I:     INSTRUCTIONS 

I.  The  Church,  the  Bible,  and  the 
Praver-Book:  The  Early  and 
Mediaeval  Church;  the  Councils; 
the  Reformation;  the  Anglican 
Communion ;  the  Oxford  Move- 
ment or  Catholic  Revival ;  the 
Bible ;  the  Prayer  Book ic 

II.  The  Creed:  Its  Authority  and 
Meaning;  the  Athanasian  Creed..     15 

III.  The  Sacraments  :  Holy  Baptism ; 
Holy  Communion ;  Holy  Absolu- 
tion (or  Penance)  ;  Holy  Confirm- 
ation; Holy  Matrimony;  Holy 
Order;   Holy  Unction       ....      22 

IV.  The  Spiritual  Life:  Sin;  Grace; 
Penitence;  Contrition;  Confes- 
sion ;  Amendment ;   etc 30 

V.  The  Blessed  Sacrament:  The 
Gift;  the  Real  Presence;  Euchar- 
istic  Adoration ;  Fasting  Com- 
munion; the  Offering  ....  ^^^ 
VI.  Public  Worship;  Authority  of 
the  Church;  Ancient  Usage;  Rites 
and  Ceremonies ;  Vestments ;  etc.  36 
VII-  Christian  Symbolism:  In  Art; 
in  Architecture,  etc. ;  Meaning  of 
Altar,  Candles,  Cross,  Crucifix, 
etc. ;  Use  of  Incense,  Processions, 
Banners,    etc.         41 


Xll  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

VIII.     The    Church's     Heritage:      The 

Various  Parts  of  the  Services  .  48 
IX.  The  Chuirch  Kalendar:  The 
Festivals  and  Fasts ;  Their  Mean- 
ing; Church  Colours  •  •  •  .  53 
X.  Christian  Duties,  Virtues,  etc.  : 
Short  Summaries  of  Church  Coun- 
sels  and    Teaching 58 


PART  II:    DEVOTIONS 

I.     Preparation  FOR  Communion: 
(i)   Self-Examination,    etc 
(2)   Psalms  and  Devotions 
II.    The  Holy  Communion  Service 

III.  Thanksgiving  after  Communion  104 
Spiritual  Communion 

IV.  Additional  Devotions 
V.     Eucharistic  Hymns,  etc. 

VI.     Penitential  Prayers,  etc. 
VII.    The  Way  of  the  Cross 

VIII.     Meditation 

IX.     Sanctification  of  Sickness 
Prayers  in  Sickness 
Communion  of  the  Sick 
Unction  of  the  Sick 
X.     For  One  at  the  Point  of  Death 
XL     For  the  Dear  Departed 
XII.     Intercessory  Prayer     . 

XIII.  The  Angelus       .     .     . 

XIV.  Prayers  Before  a  Journey 
XV.     Daily  Prayers      .     .     . 

XVI.     Confession  to  a  Priest 
XVII.     Afterword  of  Counsel 


110 
III 
122 
131 
139 
148 
154 
158 
161 
163 
165 
167 
169 

175 
176 

179 
190 

194 


PART  I 
INSTRUCTIONS 


A    LITTLE    CHILD    SHALL    LEAD    THEM. 


NOTES'    ON    THE    DOCTRINE,    DISCI- 
PLINE,  AND   WORSHIP   OF 
THE  CHURCH 


THE  CHURCH,  THE  BIBLE,  AND  THE 
PRAYER-BOOK 

THE  Holy  Catholic  Church  is  a  Divine  In- 
stitution founded  and  commissioned  by 
Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  set  forth  the 
Christian  Religion  and  to  minister  the  Word 
and  the  Sacraments.  The  Church  is,  there- 
fore, the  Preserver  of  Truth,  the  Dispenser  of 
Grace,  and  the  Guide  in  Morals ;  and  being 
guided  by  the  Holy  Ghost  speaks  by  Divine 
Authority,  and  declares  that  which  is  neces- 
sary and  right  as  to  Doctrine,  Discipline,  and 
Worship.  Her  members  are  pledged  by  their 
Baptismal  and  Confirmation  Vows  to  con- 
form to  all  that  is  commanded  by  the  Church, 
her  authority  and  not  private  judgment  being 
the  sole  judge  as  to  Teaching  and  Practice, 
which  the  Church  has  clearly  set  forth  in 
Creeds,  Scriptures,  Liturgies,  and  Councils. 
This  ''Faith  once  for  all  delivered  fo  the 
saints"  is  unchanging  as  to  the  Divine  Reve- 
lation, but  is  adapted  to  all  persons,  all  places, 

*  These  notes  are  but  fragmentary,  to  recall  or  supplenten, 
Confirmation  Instructions. 


2  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

and  all  time,  all  Christian  people  being  bound 
both  to  hold  and  live  the  Catholic  Religion. 

I.  The  Church. 

After  Our  Lord's  Ascension  and  the  Descent 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Apostles  began  their 
active  ministry  in  the  Church  and  their  mis- 
sionary labours  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel. 
While  the  full  development  and  organization 
of  the  Church  was  a  thing  of  growth,  the 
essential  features  are  found  at  the  very  start, 
evidently  established  according  to  Our  Lord's 
Instructions.  The  Three  Orders  of  Clergy, 
the  assembling  for  Public  Worship,  the  Minis- 
tration of  the  Sacraments,  the  daily  Celebra- 
tion of  the  Holy  Communion  are  all  recorded 
in  the  New  Testament,  which  Scriptures,  with 
the  Creed  and  Liturgy  were  the  work  of  the 
Apostles.  At  first  the  Services  were  held 
secretly  in  Caves,  Cellars  and  Upper  Rooms, 
where  Lights,  Vestments,  Incense  and  other 
Ceremonies  seem  to  have  been  in  us,e. 

A  human  cause  would  have  been  hopeless 
against  the  ridicule  and  persecution  which  the 
Christians  had  to  face,  but  the  Church  perse- 
vered, with  the  blood  of  her  Martyrs  stairring 
the  page  of  history  for  three  hundred  years, 
until  finally  the  work  of  the  Apostles  and  their 
Successors  triumphed,  in  the  Christian  Relig- 
ion being  established  throughout  the  Roman 
Empire  and  its  Missions  extended  ^  far  and 
wide.  During  these  days  great  religious  cen- 
tres were  built  up.  Schools  of  Theology  and 
Philosophy  were  founded,  the  Monastic  life 
was  started  and  even  in  the  desert  places  of 
the  Nile  and  elsewhere  Hermits  carried  the 
Gospel  of  Christ. 


INSTRUCTIONS  3 

As  need  required,  Councils  were  held  to  set 
forth  the  Creed,  to  condemn  heresies  and  to 
regulate  Discipline.  Those  called  GEcumenical 
or  General  Councils  (at  which  the  whole 
Church  was  represented  and  whose  decrees 
were  universally  accepted)  are  usually  ac- 
counted to  be  seven :  Nicsea  325,  a.d.,  Con- 
stantinople 381,  Ephesus  434,  Chalcedon  451, 
Constantinople  553  and  680  and  Nicsea  y^y. 
These  early  days  were  distinguished  by  the 
great  Fathers,  Doctors  and  Writers  of  the 
Church,  the  four  greatest  Greek  Fathers  be- 
ing St.  Athanasius,  St.  Basil,  St.  Chrysostom, 
and  St.  Gregory  of  Nazianzum  and  the  four 
chief  Latin  Fathers,  St.  Augustine,  St.  Am- 
brose, St.  Jerome  and  St.  Leo, 

In  the  early  Church,  Rome,  Alexandria, 
Antioch,  Jerusalem  and  Constantinople  were 
given  special  honour  as  five  great  Patriarch- 
ates. Soon  there  arose  a  rivalry  between  the 
Bishops  of  Rome  and  Constantinople  for  the 
*'  primacy,"  which  with  the  "  Image  Contro- 
versy "  and  the  dispute  about  the  Procession 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  the  nth  century  led 
to  the  separation  of  the  Eastern  and  Western 
parts  of  the  Church.  To-day  "  the  Holy  Or- 
thodox Eastern  Church,"  with  her  100,000,000 
followers  still  holds  aloof,  claiming  to  be  un- 
changed from  Apostolic  days. 

In  the  Western  Church,  Mediaeval  times  saw 
the  rise  of  the  Papacy,  the  growth  of  the 
Monastic  Orders,  the  institution  of  the  Preach- 
ing Friars,  the  Crusades  and  the  works  of 
the  Schoolmen.  Those  days  are  somewhat 
erroneously  called  "  the  Dark  Ages."  It  was 
a  time  when  good  and  evil  seemed  to  go  side 
by    side.     Corruption,    ignorance    and    super- 


4  THE    PRACTICE    OF   RELIGION 

stition  crept  in,  worldliness  and  wickedness 
waxed  great,  and  both  Clergy  and  Laity  often 
aeemed  careless  of  wrongdoing.  Yet  it  was 
also  a  period  glorious  in  a  record  of 
Saintly  lives  and  of  the  consecration  of  Art, 
Architecture,  Music  and  Learning  to  the  Ser- 
vice _  of  God.  Many  of  the  most  beautiful 
writings,  most  magnificent  Cathedrals  and 
most  inspiring  paintings  came  into  being  in 
those  days,  and  it  may  be  questioned  whether 
the  life  of  the  people  has  since  shown  as  much 
real  religion  and  devotion  as  then  when  the 
Church  was  the  controlling  power. 

The  unscriptural  claims  of  the  Papacy  and 
the  abuses  of  the  age  led  to  the  calling  of 
Councils  which  however  accomplished  little. 
In  the  i6th  century  the  desire  to  purify  the 
Church  started  the  Reformation,  but  the  work 
was  carried  on  in  such  a  mistaken  way,  that 
it  ended  in  catastrophe.  For  when  war  and 
persecution  ceased,  there  was  seen  a  divided 
Christendom ;  the  purified  Church  of  England 
being  separated  from  the  partly  reformed 
Church  of  Rome  and  out  of  communion  with 
both  were  the  Protestant  bodies  or  Sectarians, 
who  had  lost  Apostolic  Order  with  much  of 
the  Ancient  Faith  and  Practice  and  were 
"  teaching  for  doctrine  the  commandments  of 
men."  The  sad  result  of  this  schism  is  seen 
to-day  in  over  200  kinds  of  Sectarians,  dif- 
fering one  from  the  other,  continually  divid- 
ing to  form  new  bodies  and  all  opposed  to  the 
Church. 

In  the  Holy  Catholic  Church,  although  the 
Eastern  branch  still  stands  aside,  although 
the  Roman  Communion  has  added  to  the 
Faith,    although    the    Anglican    body     often 


INSTRUCTIONS  5 

speaks  with  hesitating  voice,  and  all  are  handi- 
capped by  party  differences,  they  are  neverthe- 
less one  in  Christ,  tracing  their  descent 
through  the  Undivided  Church,  to  the 
Apostles.  When  in  God's  Providence  re- 
union or  intercommunion  comes,  it  will  have 
to  be  brought  about  by  the  drawing  together 
of  these  three  branches  of  the  Ancient 
Church,  numbering  four  hundred  million  souls, 
and  agreeing  in  the  essentials  of  Doctrine, 
Discipline  and  Worship. 

11.  The  Anglican  Communion. 

That  part  of  the  Church  known  as  the  An- 
glican Communion  embraces  the  Church  of 
England  at  home,  and  in  the  Colonies,  the 
Episcopal  Church  of  Ireland,  Scotland,  and 
Wales,  and  the  Episcopal  Church  in  America, 
with  the  Foreign  Missions  of  these  bodies. 

The  Church  was  planted  in  Britain  (Eng- 
land) in  the  first  century,  probably  coming 
from  France,  tradition  variously  ascribing 
it  to  St.  Paul,  to  St.  Joseph  of  Arimathea  or 
to  one  of  Our  Lord's  followers.  Although  its 
origin  is  not  known,  its  early  existence  is 
proved  by  the  ancient  Sees  of  London,  York 
and  Lincoln,  by  British  Bishops  being  at  the 
first  Councils  and  by  the  Martyrdom  of  St. 
Alban.  Later  on,  the  British  Church,  with 
Ireland,  which  was  Christianized  by  St.  Pat- 
rick, and  Scotland,  where  St.  Ninian  went,  be- 
came famous  for  holiness,  learning  and  mis- 
sionary zeal,  Ireland  especially  being  called 
"  the  Isle  of  the   Saints." 

The  coming  of  the  Anglo-Saxons  drove 
the  British  Church  into  Wales  and  Cornwall, 


6  THE  PRACTICE    OP   RELIGION 

shut  off  from  the  rest  of  the  western  world. 
There  it  was  when  in  597  St.  Augustine  came 
with  his  Monks  from  Rome  to  convert  the 
Anglo-Saxons.  For  a  while  minor  differences 
and  jealousies  kept  them  apart  but  in  the  end 
all  worked  together  in  converting  the  country 
to  Christianity,  largely  helped  by  the  Scotch- 
Irish  Monks  of  lona  and  Lindisfarne. 

The  Church  of  England  escaped  many  of 
the  corruptions  of  the  Continent  and  largely 
kept  free  from  Papal  control,  protesting 
against  these  claims.  Consequently  the  Refor- 
mation in  England  was  different  from  that  in 
Europe.  The  movement  led  by  the  Bishops 
did  not  break  the  continuity  of  the  Church, 
but  asserting  the  ancient  origin  of  the  Church 
of  England  and  her  independence  of  the 
Bishop  of  Rome,  aimed  to  correct  abuses  and 
to  restore  the  primitive  purity  of  Faith  and 
Practice.  Superstitious  practices  were  swept 
away,  Public  Worship  was  simplified,  the 
Services  were  shortened  and  the  Bible  and 
Prayer  Book  were  translated  into  English. 
Mistakes  were  made,  and  some  good  things 
went  with  the  bad,  extremists  of  all  kinds 
doing  harm,  but  through  all  the  compromise 
which  seemed  unavoidable,  God  preserved  the 
Church,  so  that  the  Reformation  left  it  the 
same  Ancient  and  Apostolic  body  that  it  was 
before,  changed  in  no  essential  of  Faith  and 
Practice,  still  holding  the  Catholic  Religion 
and  having  the  Ministry,  the  Word  and  the 
Sacraments  in  their  integrity. 

The  greatest  injury  to  the  Church  came 
in  the  i8th  century,  when  the  infidelity,^  the 
immorality  and  the  worldliness  of  the  times 
were  such  that  Religion  reached  a  very  low 


INSTRUCTIONS  ^ 

plane,  when  closed  Churches,  infrequent  Ser- 
vices and  irreverent  Worship  showed  the  lack 
of  devotion  of  both  Priests  and  People,  and 
the  neglect  of  religious  instruction  brought 
about  an  ignorance  of  the  Church  and  her 
teaching,  which  is  even  now  very  prevalent. 
When  all  was  at  its  worst,  there  came  those 
wonderful  movements  which  infused  new  life 
into  the  Anglican  Communion  and  made  her 
influence  felt  far  and  wide :  first  "  the  Evan- 
gelical Revival "  for  the  cultivation  of  per- 
sonal holiness  and  then  ''  the  Catholic  Re- 
vival"  for  the  recognition  of  the  Apostolic 
heritage  of  the  Church  and  the  right  use  of 
the  Sacraments.  This  last,  often  called  "  the 
Oxford  Movement,"  was  misunderstood  and 
opposed  at  first  and  its  adherents  sadly  perse- 
cuted, but  now  true  lovers  of  God  see  in  it 
one  of  the  greatest  powers  for  good  and  in 
its  supporters  some  of  the  most  loyal  sons  of 
the  Church.  The  work  of  restoration,  which 
was  begun,  is  still  going  on,  the  full  Faith 
being  plainly  taught  and  the  beautiful  Cere- 
monial of  Ancient  times  being  largely  used. 
In  America,  the  Church  was  planted  with 
the  Colonies,  its  members  being  under  the 
spiritual  charge  of  the  Bishop  of  London. 
After  the  War  of  Independence,  Churchrnen 
organized  as  an  American  Church,  obtaining 
the  Episcopate  abroad,  where  Dr.  Seabury 
was  consecrated  by  the  Bishops  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church  of  Scotland,  as  the  Bishop  of 
Connecticut,  and  Dr.  White  and  Dr.  Prevoost 
were  respectively  made  the  Bishop  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  the  Bishop  of  New  York  by 
the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  and  other  Prel- 
ates of  the  Church  of  England.     Sure  of  the 


8  THE    PRACTICE    OF   RELIGION 

Apostolic  Succession,  in  the  Episcopate  ob- 
tained from  the  Mother  Church,  the  American 
Church  has  grown  from  that  Httle  pioneer 
body  to  a  large  Communion  which  both  em- 
braces the  best  that  America  can  give  and  also 
ministers  to  "  all  sorts  and  conditions  of 
men."  Free  from  state  interference,  and 
blessed  with  a  splendid  Liturgy  and  full  of 
missionary  zeal,  the  Church  here  has  a  large 
opportunity  and  seems  destined  to  a  noble 
future,  if  her  members  remain  loyal  to  their 
ancient  Catholic  heritage. 

An  ignorance  of  Church  teaching,  together 
with  wrong  statements  of  other  reHgious 
bodies,  has  led  some  persons  into  thinking 
that  the  Anglican  Communion  is  "  Protestant." 
This  is  clearly  contradicted  by  history  and 
by  the  Church  of  England  in  her  Prayer 
Book  where  never  ^  once  does  such  a  word 
occur.  The  same  is  true  of  the  American 
Church,  except  that  under  her  title  printed  as 
"  The  Church  "  occur  the  words  "  Protestant 
Episcopal "  in  the  special  sense  of  a  legal 
designation,  even  as  Roman  Catholics  are 
officially  called  "  The  Holy  Roman  Church." 
As  Romanists  are  nevertheless  "  Catholics," 
owning  the  supremacy  of  the  Roman  Pontiff, 
so  also  are  Anglicans  "  Catholics,"  protesting 
against  this  claim.  This  is  the  only  sense  in 
which  this  word  is  used  by  the  "Episcopal 
Church,"  any  other  meaning  contradicting  the 
Church's  own  Formularies  which  clearly  set 
forth  the  Catholic  Faith. 

Thus  according  to  the  Prayer  Book  of 
both  the  Church  of  England  and  the  Church 
here,  one  is  Baptized  into  "  Christ's  Holy 
Church/'  is  Confirmed  into  ''  The  Church,"  is 


INSTRUCTIONS  9 

Married  by  " His  Church''  prays  for  "  The 
Whole  Church,'*  "  The  Holy  Church  Uni- 
versal," "The  Catholic  Church," \coniesses 
in  the  Creed  that  he  believes  in  "  The 
Holy  Catholic  Church,"  "  One  Catholic  and 
Apostolic  Church,"  sees  a  Priest  ordained  or 
a  Bishop  consecrated  in  "The  Church  of 
God/'  and  when  sick  is  made  ready  to  die 
"  in  the  Communion  of  the  Catholic  Church." 

There  is  no  uncertainty  here.  By  her  Ser- 
vices the  Anglican  Communion  clearly  shows 
that  she  is  most  surely  Catholic,  which  is  not 
a  question  of  opinion,  but  a  matter  of  fact, 
proved  in  her  having  valid  Orders,  in  her 
owning  the  Authority  of  the  Undivided 
Church  and  in  her  Conforming  to  her  Doc- 
trine, Discipline  and  Worship.  Consequently 
her  members  should  call  themselves  "  Catho- 
lics "  as  well  as  "  Churchmen,"  for  by  so 
doing  they  not  only  show  the  true  character 
of  the  Church  but  also  mark  Romanists  as 
more  properly  "  Roman  Catholics." 

The  Anglican  Communion  thus  stands  as  a 
true  part  of  the  Ancient  Historic  Church. 
She  has  never  lost  her  continuity  with  the 
past.  Her  Orders  are  sure  beyond  doubt,  in 
them  meeting  three  lines  of  Apostolic  Suc- 
cession: the  English,  the  Irish  and  the  Ital- 
ian. She  holds  the  Ancient  Faith,  ministers 
the  Sacraments  as  Christ  ordained,  and  offers 
the  one  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Altar,  which 
binds  all  three  parts  of  the  Church  in  invisible 
union.  Unassailable  historically  and  doctri- 
nally  the  Anglican  Communion  stands  as  the 
Catholic  Church  for  English  speaking  people. 

1  Church  of  England  P.  B. 


lO  THE   PRACTICE    OF   RELIGION 

III.  The  Bible. 

The  Bible,  or  the  Book  of  the  Sacred  Scrip- 
tures, is  the  Word  of  God,  because  it  was  Di- 
vinely Inspired,  being  written  by  holy  men  of 
old  through  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
It  comprises  the  canonical  books  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments,  "  containing  all  things 
necessary  to  Salvation,"  and  to  these  are 
added  the  "  Apocrypha,"  or  those  writings 
which  are  read  for  "  example  of  life  and  in- 
struction in  manners."  ^  The  Old  Testament 
was  originally  written  in  Hebrew,  but  later 
on  translated  into  Greek.  The  New  Testa- 
ment was  written  in  Greek.  Now  the  Bible 
may  be  read  in  all  the  languages  of  the  world. 
Some  parts  are  hard  to  understand,  but  the 
reader  will  ever  come  to  a  closer  union  with 
and  a  clearer  knowledge  of  God  if  he  reads 
with  faith,  reverence,  and  humilitv.  remember- 
ing liis  human  limitations  and  recollecting 
that  the  Church  and  not  the  individual  is  to 
explain  the  Divine  Message,  for  St.  Peter  says, 
that  no  Scripture:  "is  of  any  private  interpre- 
tation." 

IV.    The  Book  of  Common  Prayer. 

The  authorized  Service  Book  of  the  Angli- 
can Church,  setting  forth  the  Order  of  Public 
Worship  with  the  necessary  Rites  and  Cere- 
monies and  called  "  The  Book  of  Common 
Prayer,"  is  largely  a  heritage  from  ancient 
times.  From  the  first  the  Church  had  set 
forms,  but  for  awhile  these  were  probably 
said  from  memory,  for  fear  that  others  out- 
side the  faithful  might  obtain  the  sacred 
words.     When    later    the    various    centres   of 


INSTRUCTIONS  II 

the  Church  put  the  Liturgy  into  writing,  the 
agreement  in  all  essentials  shows  that  they  fol- 
lowed the  same  model.  The  four  greatest 
early  Liturgies  were  those  called  the  Alex- 
andrian, the  Ephesian,  the  Oriental  and  the 
Roman,  often  attributed  to  St.  Mark,  St.  John, 
St.  James  and  St.  Peter,  but  those  which  have 
come  down  to  us  are  largely  the  work  of 
others,  such  as  the  modern  Roman  Rite  and 
the  Eastern  Liturgy  of  St.   Chrysostom. 

The  Gallican  Liturgy  of  France  and  the 
Mozarabic  Liturgy  of  Spain  are  said  to  have 
sprung  from  the  Ephesian  Liturgy  of  St. 
John.  From  France,  this  Gallijcan  Liturgy 
was  taken  to  England.  There  it  was  later 
modified  by  the  ancient  Roman  Rite  intro- 
duced by  St.  Augustine,  giving  rise  to  a 
number  of  adaptations  called  "  Uses,"  that 
of  "  Old  Sarum  Rite "  gradually  supplanting 
all  others  and  being  the  basis  of  the  present 
English  Prayer  Book. 

The  contents  of  the  Prayer  Book  are  a 
gradual  growth.  At  first  there  was  only  the 
Divine  Liturgy,  which  strictly  speaking  is 
the  Order  for  Communion  or  the  Mass.  This 
has  always  been  the  one  Service  of  obliga- 
tion for  both  Clergy  and  Laity.  The  other 
Offices  arose  later  as  needs  required.  In  the 
Church  of  England,  these  different  Services 
were  found  in  various  books,  chief  of  which 
were :  the  Missal,  containing  the  Mass ;  the 
Breviary,  the  Offices  or  '' hours  ";  the  Pontifi- 
cal and  Ordinal,  the  Episcopal  ministrations ; 
and  the  Manual,  the  occasional  offices,  all  of 
which  were  in  Latin.  In  addition  were  vari- 
ous "  Primers "  or  instructions  and  devotions 
in  English,  for  the  Laity. 


12  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

At  the  Reformation,  these  books  were  short- 
ened, simplified,  combined  and  put  forth  in 
English  as  "  The  Book  of  Common  Prayer/' 
which  after  many  revisions  (due  to  compari- 
son with  other  Rites  and  the  desire  to  recon- 
cile differences)  assumed  its  present  form  as 
used  by  the  Church  of  England.  Another 
form,  used  by  the  Episcopal  Church  of  Scot- 
land, more  closely  resembling  ancient  Rites, 
largely  influenced  the  Prayer  Book  of  the 
Church  in  America,  which  in  the  main  is 
probably  the  best  of  all  Anglican  Liturgies. 

The  Prayer  Book  is  a  notable  example  of 
God's  Providence,  overruling  all  attacks  upon 
it,  frustrating  all  attempts  to  sweep  away  its 
Catholic  teaching  and  worship,  and  preserving 
the  essentials  of  Faith  and  Practice  through 
many  a  perilous  day  of  storm. 

Although  structurally  differing  somewhat 
from  the_  older  Liturgies,  the  Anglican  Ser- 
vice carries  us  back  to  ancient  days  and  en- 
ables her  children  to  present  the  same  Holy 
Sacrifice  and  offer  the  same  Worship  in  simi- 
lar way  and  word  as  did  the  Apostles  and 
holy  men  of  old.  It  is  lacking  in  no  essential, 
and  should  enlist  the  love  and  loyalty  of  all, 
not  only  as  a  rallying  point  to  resist  attacks 
upon  the  Faith,  but  also  because  of  its  beauti- 
ful forms  of  praise  and  prayer,  in  a  "  tongue 
understanded  of  the  people,"  a  blessing  and 
help  which  cannot  be  overestimated.  While 
other  Liturgies  may  be  superior  in  some  re- 
spects, there  is  a  rhythmic  beauty,  a  dignified 
simplicity,  a  devout  restraint  in  the  thought 
and  diction  of  the  Prayer  Book,  that  sounds 
like  music  in  the  ear  and  sanctifies  our  ap- 
proach to  Almighty  God. 


GLORY   BE  TO  GOD   IN    THE 

HIGHEST  AND  ON    EARTH,   PEACE, 

GOOD    WILL   TOWARDS    MEN/' 


II 

THE  CREED 

THE  Creed  is  the  Declaration  of  "The 
Faith  once  delivered  to  the  Saints,"  as 
revealed  by  Our  Lord,  contained  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, taught  by  the  Church,  and  set  forth  by 
her  Authority.  There  is  only  one  Creed,  the 
Apostles',  Nicene,  and  Athanasian  Creeds  be- 
ing but  three  forms  of  expressing  the  same 
Belief,  the  first  briefly,  the  last  two  at  greater 
length.  Some  of  the  statements  of  the  Creed 
are  called  Holy  Mysteries,  because  they  are 
beyond  human  understanding,  dealing  as  they 
do  with  the  Nature  or  Attributes  of  God. 
It  is  absolutely  incumbent  upon  all  persons 
to  believe  each  and  every  article  of  the  Creed, 
as  the  Church  hath  declared  it,  for  the  denial 
of  any  one  part  of  that  which  God  has  revealed 
puts  the  soul  in  peril.  The  various  declara- 
tions of  the  Creed  may  very  briefly  be  ex- 
plained as  follows : — 

I.  The  Mystery  of  the  Trinity  is  that 
there  is  One,  True  and  Only  God,  in  which 
Unity  there  are  Three  Persons  (or  Exist- 
ences) :  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  of  equal  power,  honour,  and 
glory,  for  "the  Father  is  God,  the  Son  is 
God,  the  Holy  Ghost  is  God,  but  there  are 
not  three  Gods,  but  one  God." 

God  is  a  Spirit,  without  beginning  or  end, 
possessed  of  infinite  power,  wisdom,  and  good- 
ness, of  perfect  love,  mercy,  and  justice.    He 


14  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

is  the  Creator  and  Ruler  of  all  things,  always 
and  everywhere  present,  Whose  Existence  is 
proved  by  the  Works  of  Nature,  the  Voice 
of  Conscience,  and  the  life  of  the  Soul.  God 
also  has  been  specially  revealed  to  man  in 
Jesus  Christ,  the  Second  Person  of  the 
Trinity.  God  cannot  be  comprehended  by 
the  mind  or  described  by  the  words  of  man. 
Consequently  it  behooves  all  to  think  and 
speak  in  reverent  awe  of  the  Blessed  Trinity, 
remembering  that  God  is  from  above,  we  from 
below. 

11.  The    Mystery    of    the    Incarnation    is 

that  Our  Lord,  the  Only-begotten  Son  of  God, 
came  down  from  Heaven,  was  conceived  by 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  Born  of  the  Virgin 
Mary,  becoming  Man,  without  ceasing  to  be 
God,  being  "  Perfect  God  of  the  Substance  of 
the  Father,  and  Perfect  Man  of  the  Sub- 
stance of  His  Mother." 

Before  the  Incarnation,  Our  Lord  was  eter- 
nally God;  but  from  the  moment  of  the  In- 
carnation He  is  henceforth  both  God  and  Man, 
being  One  Person,  the  Second  Person  of  the 
Trinity,  but  having  "  Two  Whole  and  Perfect 
Natures,  Divine  and  Human."  He  is  Our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  because  He  is  the 
ruler  of  all  things  and  the  Redeemer  of  the 
world,  being  our  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King. 
In  His  life  on  earth,  Our  Lord  worked  Mira- 
cles, taught  Parables,  founded  His  Church, 
chose  His  Disciples,  instituted  the  Sacraments, 
preached  the  Gospel,  and  although  tempted 
in  all  points  as  we  are,  was  absolutely  without 
sin,  the  Perfect  Pattern  for  all  time.  The 
Church  adores  Our  Lord  as  the  Virgin-Born, 


INSTRUCTIONS  15 

God  of  God,  Light  of  Light,  Very  God  of  Very 
God,  and  at  the  same  time  reverences  Saint 
Mary  the  Virgin,  as  "Blessed  among  wo- 
men/' ^  because  chosen  and  sanctified  by  God 
to  be  the  instrument  of  the  Incarnation,  the 
Mother  of  Our  Lord,  called  by  a  Council  the 
Mother  of  God.  because  she  brought  forth 
Him  who  was  God. 

in.  The   Mystery   of   the   Redemption   is 

the  Passion  and  Death  of  Jesus  Christ,  in 
the  Sacrifice  of  Calvary,  where  Our  Lord 
suff^ered  and  died  as  Man,  and  saved  and  re- 
deemed the  world  as  God,  making  by  "  the 
One  Oblation  of  Himself  once  offered,  the  one 
full,  perfect,  and  sufficient  Sacrifice,  Oblation, 
and  Satisfaction  for  the  sins  of  the  whole 
world." 

In  His  Sufferings  were  included  His  Life 
of  the  Cross,  His  Agony  in  Gethsemane,  and 
His  Passion  on  Good  Friday  (in  the  betrayal 
by  Judas  Iscariot,  the  denial  by  St.  Peter,  and 
the  stripping,  scourging,  and  awful  treatment 
before  Annas,  Caiaphas,  Herod,  and  Pilate). 
At  Death,  His  Soul  descended  to  the  Place 
of  Departed  Spirits "  to  offer  salvation  to 
those  who  had  gone  before,  and  His  body  was 
laid  in  the  Tomb,  He  as  God  being  in  both 
places  by  virtue  of  the   Incarnation. 

IV.  The  Mystery  of  the  Resurrection  is 

that  on  the  third  day,  Our  Lord,  by  His  Own 
power  as  God,  rose  again  from  th€  dead  in  the 
same  Body  which  was  Crucified,  but  then  with 
the  properties  of  a  risen  body,  that  is.  His 
Body   could   no   longer   suffer,   could   be   any- 

1  St.  Luke  i.  28,  42.  2  i  St.  Peter  iii.  19. 


l6  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

where  at  will,  could  pass  through  any  sub- 
stance, and  was  full  of  beauty  and  glory. 
Our  Lord  proved  the  reality  of  His  Risen 
Body  by  sight,^  by  touch,^  and  by  taking  food.^ 
The  Faith  of  the  Church  is  built  on  the  Resur- 
rection, for  St.  Paul  says,  "If  Christ  be 
not  risen,  then  is  our  preaching  vain  and  your 
faith  is  vain  also."  *  No  truth  is  more  abso- 
lutely assured  than  the  Bodily  Resurrection 
of  Christ  and  no  fact  could  have  been  more 
easily  disposed  of  if  it  were  not  so.  It  is 
absolutely  certain.  After  the  Resurrection 
Our  Lord  remained  forty  days  on  earth,  ap- 
pearing to  His  Apostles  at  different  times,  and 
teaching  the  things  pertaining  to  the  Church 
or  Kingdom  of  God." 

V.  The  Mystery  of  the  Ascension  is  that 
on  the  fortieth  day  after  the  Resurrection, 
Our  Lord,  in  the  sight  of  His  Apostles,  As- 
cended into  Heaven,  exalting  His  Glorified 
Human  Nature  to  the  highest  place  of  Honour 
at  the  Right  Hand  of  God,  there  to  reign  in 
His  Glory  and  plead  the  Sacrifice  He  had 
made  for  man,  "He  ever  liveth  to  make  inter- 
cession for  us."°  From  thence  He  will  come 
at  the  Last  Day  "to  judge  the  quick  and  the 
dead." 

VL  The  Holy  Ghost,  also  called  the  Holy 
Spirit,  the  Holy  Advocate,  and  the  Holy  Com- 
forter, is  the  Third  Person  of  the  Blessed 
Trinity,  eternally  proceeding  from  the  Father 
and  the  Son,  with  Whom  He  is  to  be  wor- 
shipped  and   glorified.     The    Holy    Ghost   is 

1  St.  Luke  xxiv.  31.  *  i  Cor.  xv.  14. 

2  St.  John  XX.  27;  St.  Luke  xxiv.  39.      '  Acts  i.  3. 

*  St.  Luke  xxiv.  43.  «  Heb.  vii.  25. 


INSTRUCTIONS  17 

the  Lord  and  Giver  of  Life,  Who  comes 
especially  in  Baptism,  Confirmation,  and  Or- 
dination, Who  guides  and  counsels  the  Church 
and  her  members,  and  who  is  ever  with  us 
to  "  convince  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of 
judgment."^ 

VII.  The  One,  Holy,  Catholic,  and  Apos- 
tolic Church  is  "  the  mystical  body  of 
Christ,"  having  been  instituted  by  Our  Lord 
to  be  the  Preserver  of  Truth,  the  Dispenser 
of  Grace  and  the  Guide  in  Morals.  On  the 
invisible  side  the  Church  is  the  mystical  union 
of  all  believers  with  Christ  their  Head,  on 
the  visible  side  a  body  with  the  Ministry,  the 
Word,  and  the  Sacraments.  The  Church  is 
Catholic,  because  for  all  persons,  all  places, 
and  all  times,  and  Apostolic  because  she  holds 
"the  Faith  once  delivered  to  the  Saints."^ 
The  Church  embraces  the  Living  and  the 
Dead,  that  is :  the  Church  Triumphant  in 
Heaven,  the  Church  Expectant  in  the  Place 
of  Departed  Spirits,  and  the  Church  Militant 
on  earth.  This  is  called  "  the  Communion 
of  Saints."  The  three  great  branches  of  the 
Church  are  the  Anglican,  the  Eastern,  and  the 
Roman  bodies,  which  though  divided,  agree  in 
the  essentials  of  Faith  and  Worship.  Those 
who  do  not  accept  the  Authority  of  the 
Church  or  who  reject  all  or  part  of  the  Truth 
are  called  "  heretics,"  "  schismatics,^  "  sec- 
tarians," or  "  nonconformists,"  according  to 
the  extent  of  their  errors.  Full  measure  of 
grace  and  full  assurance  of  Salvation  are 
only  surely  found  in  the  Holy  Catholic 
Church. 

1  St.  John  xvi.  8.  2  St.  Jude. 


18  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

VIII.  The  Forgiveness  of  Sins  is  the  par- 
don which  God  gives  on  account  of  the 
Merits  and  Mediation  of  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  is  conditional  upon  our  faith, 
love,  and  repentance.  The  ordinary  channels 
for  conveying  God's  forgiveness  are  Baptism, 
which  remits  original  and  ante-baptismal  sin ; 
Communion,  which  remits  sin  to  those  who 
rightly  receive ;  and  Absolution,  wherein  the 
Priest  in  the  Ministry  of  Reconciliation  con- 
veys God's  pardon/ 

IX.  The  Resurrection  of  the  Dead  and 
the  Life  Everlasting  teach  us  that  we  rise 
in  our  flesh  at  the  Last  Day  and  go  into  our 
unchangeable  state  in  Heaven  or  Hell.  We 
are  judged  by  the  works  done  while  on  earth. 
At  death  the  soul  undergoes  the  Particular 
Judgment,  if  lost  going  to  Hell,  if  saved  to 
the  Intermediate  State,  or  the  Place  of  De- 
parted Spirits,  sometirnes  called  Purgatory  be- 
cause there  the  soul  is  prepared  and  purified 
for  Heaven,  as  no  soul  can  enter  the  Presence 
of  God  unless  absolutely  free  from  the  stain 
of  sin.  At  the  Final  Resurrection,  or  the 
Last  Judgment,  the  redeemed  enter  into  the 
Joys  of  Heaven,  into  the  Glory  of  God,  with 
the  Saints  and  Angels  to  be  in  unspeakable 
blessedness,  while  the  lost  continue  in  the  tor- 
ment of  Hell,  shut  out  forever  from  God, 
and  doomed  to  everlasting  punishment  with 
Satan  and  lost  souls.  We  should  remember 
that  none  are  lost  save  by  their  own  fault, 
that  God  of  His  Justice  must  punish  those 
who  die  unrepentant,  and  that  all  may  be 
saved  who  "  do  their  duty  in  that  state  of  life 

1  St.  John  XX.  21-23,  and  Ordination  Office,  3  Cor.  v.  18. 


INSTRUCTIONS  I9 

unto  which  it  shall  please  God  to  call  them  "  ^ 
and  live  and  die  "  in  the  Communion  of  the 
Catholic  Church." ' 

It  may  be  noted  of  the  three  forms  of  the 
Creed  that  the  Apostles'  is  the  simple  state- 
ment of  the  belief  of  the  Church,  whilst  the 
Nicene  and  Athanasian  Creeds  are  of  the  na- 
ture of  doctrinal  definitions  of  this  belief. 
The  last  of  these  Creeds  is  here  printed  in 
full,  as  this  splendid  statement  of  the  Catho- 
lic Faith  is  not  familiar  to  all: 

The  Athanasian  Creed 

Whosoever  will  be  saved :  before  all  things 
it  is  necessary  that  he  hold  the  Catholic  Faith, 
which  Faith  except  every  one  do  keep  whole 
and  undefiled,  without  doubt  he  shall  perish 
everlastingly.     And  the  Catholic  Faith  is  this: 

(i)  That  we  worship  One  God  in  Trinity, 
and  Trinity  in  Unity;  Neither  confounding 
the  Persons ;  nor  dividing  the  Substance.  For 
there  is  One  Person  of  the  Father,  another 
of  the  Son  ;  and  another  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
But  the  Godhead  of  the  Father,  of  the  Son 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  all  one ;  the 
Glory  equal,  the  Majesty  co-eternal.  Such 
as  the  Father  is,  such  is  the  Son;  and  such 
is  the  Holy  Ghost.  The  Father  uncreate, 
the  Son  uncreate;  and  the  Holy  Ghost  un- 
create. The  Father  incomprehensible;  the 
Son  incomprehensible ;  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
incomprehensible.  The  Father  eternal,  the 
Son  eternal ;  and  the  Holy  Ghost  eternal. 
And  yet  there  are  not  three  eternals;  but  one 
eternal.    As  also  there  are  not  three  incom- 

1  Church  Catechism.  2  Office  of  Vis.  of  the  Sicl?. 


20  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

prehensibles  nor  three  uncreated ;  but  one  un- 
created and  one  incomprehensible.  So  like- 
wise the  Father  is  Almighty;  the  Son  Al- 
mighty; and  the  Holy  Ghost  Alrnighty.  And 
yet  there  are  not  three  Almighties;  but  one 
Almighty.  So  the  Father  is  God,  the  Son  is 
God;  and  the  Holy  Ghost  is  God.  And  yet 
there  are  not  three  Gods  :  but  one  God.  So 
likewise  the  Father  is  Lord,  the  Son  Lord; 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  Lord.  And  yet  not 
three  Lords  :  but  one  Lord.  For  like  as  we 
are  compelled  by  the  Christian  verity  to  ac- 
knowledge every  Person  by  Himself  to  be 
God  and  Lord  ;  so  are  we  forbidden  by  the 
Catholic  Religion:  to  say  there  be  three 
Gods,  or  three  Lords.  The  Father  is  made 
of  none;  neither  created  nor  begotten. 
The  Son  is  of  the  Father  alone;  not 
made  nor  created  but  begotten.  The  Holy 
Ghost  is  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son  ; 
neither  made,  nor  created,  nor  begotten, 
but  proceeding.  So  there  is  one  Father,  not 
three  Fathers  :  one  Son.  not  three  Sons  ; 
one  Holy  Ghost,  not  three  Holy  Ghosts. 
And  in  this  Trinity  none  is  afore,  or  after 
other :  none  is  greater,  or  less  than  another ; 
But  the  whole  three  Persons  are  co-eternal 
together ;  and  co-equal.  So  that  in  all  things, 
as  is  aforesaid;  the  Unity  in  Trinity,  and  the 
Trinity  in  Unity,  is  to  be  worshipped.  He 
therefore  that  will  be  saved ;  must  thus  think 
of  the  Trinity. 

(2)  Furthermore,  it  is  necessary  to  everlast- 
ing salvation :  that  he  also  believe  rightly  the 
Incarnation  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  For 
the  right  Faith  is,  that  we  believe  and  con- 
fess:  that  our  Lord  Jesus   Christ,  the   Son 


INSTRUCTIONS  21 

of  God,  is  God  and  Man;  God,  of  the  Sub- 
stance of  the  Father,  begotten  before  the 
worlds,  and  man,  of  the  Substance  of 
His  Mother,  born  in  the  world;  Per- 
fect God,  and  Perfect  Man,  of  a  reasonable 
soul  and  human  flesh  subsisting.  Equal  to 
the  Father,  as  touching  His  Godhead ;  and 
inferior  to  the  Father,  as  touching  His  Man- 
hood. Who  although  He  be  God  and  Man; 
yet  He  is  not  two  but  one  Christ;  One:  not 
by  conversion  of  the  Godhead  into  flesh ;  but 
by  taking  of  the  Manhood,  into  God;  One 
altogether ;  not  by  co-nfusion  of  Substance ;  but 
by  unity  of  Person.  For  as  the  reasonable 
soul  and  flesh  is  one  man ;  so  God  and  Man  is 
one  Christ;  (3)  Who  suffered  for  our  salva- 
tion; descended  into  hell;  (4)  rose  again 
the  third  day  from  the  dead.  (5)  He  as- 
cended into  Heaven,  He  sitteth  on  the  Right 
hand  of  the  Father,  God  Almighty;  from 
whence  He  shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and 
the  dead.  (9)  At  Whose  coming  all  men  shall 
rise  again  with  their  bodies ;  and  shall  give 
account  of  their  own  works.  (9)  And  they 
that  have  done  good  shall  go  into  life  ever- 
lasting; and  they  that  have  done  evil  into 
everlasting  fire. 

This  is  the  Catholic  Faith ;  which  except 
a  man  believe  faithfully  he  cannot  be  saved.^ 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son, 
and  to  the  Holy  Ghost.  As  it  was  in  the 
beginning,  is  now,  and  ever  shall  be,  world 
without  end.     Amen. 

^The  so-called  "damnatory  clauses"  only  apply  to  those 
who  deliberately,  ivillingly  and  knowingly  reject  the  Catholic 
Faith,  when  clearly  presented  to  their  conscience  and  reason. 
The  numbers  correspond  with  the  sections  of  the  Shorter 
Creed,  as  explained  in  this  chapter. 


Ill 

THE  SACRAMENTS 

THE  Sacraments  are  not  empty  signs  or 
mere  forms,  but  are  Holy  Mysteries, 
instituted  of  God  to  confer  Grace  and  effect 
the  purpose  for  which  they  are  administered. 
There  are  generally  accounted  to  be  Seven 
Sacraments  in  all,  two  of  them.  Holy  Baptism 
and  Holy  Communion,  being  known  as  the 
Greater  Sacraments,  or  Sacraments  of  the 
Gospel,  because  "generally  necessary  to  Sal- 
vation." 

Holy  Baptism  is  the  Sacrament  of  regen- 
eration, making  the  recipient  "  a  member  of 
Christ,  the  child  of  God,  and  an  inheritor  of 
the  Kingdom  of  Heaven."  Baptism  confers 
the  Forgiveness  of  Sins,  the  gift  of  Divine 
Grace,  and  the  character  of  a  Christian,  and 
should  be  given  as  soon  as  possible  after 
birth.  It  is  administered  by  prayer  and  the 
pouring  on  of  water  in  the  Name  of  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost.  It  is  some- 
times called  "  Christening,"  from  the  giving 
of  the  name,  which  should  always  be  a  re- 
minder of  our  Christian  profession  which  is 
to  follow  Christ  and  to  be  made  like  unto 
Him.  It  is  also  the  "  Christian  Covenant," 
because  the  Sponsors  or  Godparents  promise 
and  vow  in  the  name  of  the  child  (i)  to  re- 
nounce the  Devil  and  all  his  works,  the  pomps 
and   vanities   of   this   wicked   world,   and   all 


SUFFER    THE    LITTLE    CHILDREN    TO    COME 

UNTO   ME:  FOR  OF  SUCH   IS   THE 

KINGDOM   OF    HEAVEN." 


INSTRUCTIONS  23 

the  sinful  lusts  of  the  flesh;  (2)  to  believe 
all  the  Articles  of  the  Christian  Faith;  (3) 
to  keep  God's  holy  will  and  Commandments, 
and  walk  in  the  same  all  the  days  of  this  life. 
In  the  case  of  an  adult,  the  rubric  orders  a 
preparation  of  prayer  and  fasting.  It  is  ex- 
pected that  persons  baptized  shall  be  con- 
firmed as  soon  as  possible.  An  unbaptized 
person  cannot  love  God  except  in  a  feeble 
way. 

At  the  Fall  man  lost  his  original  righteous- 
ness and  came  undee  the  dominion  of  sin, 
inclining  to  evil  and  meriting  God's  wrath 
and  punishment.  Baptism  remits  original  sin 
(or  the  penalty  of  the  Fall),  and  in  the  case  of 
an  adult  also  absolves^  from  all  sins  committed 
before  Baptism,  providing  there  is  penitence. 
Baptism  is  the  "  new  birth  unto  righteous- 
ness," and  by  its  supernatural  gifts  enables 
one  to  follow  God's  commandments.  An  adult 
dying  unbaptized  cannot  enter  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven  or  see  God,  as  Our  Lord  said, 
"  Except  ye  are  born  of  water  and  the  Spirit, 
ye  cannot  enter  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven," 
but  many  hold  that  if  his  life  is  otherwise 
good,  he  will  not  go  to  Hell  but  have  "  nat- 
ural beatitude." 

Holy  Communion,  -well  called  the  Blessed 
Sacrament,  is  the  Sacrament  of  the  Body  and 
Blood  of  Christ,  and  the  Memorial  of  the 
Sacrifice  of  the  Cross.  Under  the  forms  of 
Bread  and  Wine  we  receive  Our  Lord  Really 
and  Objectively  Present  but  after  a  Spiritual 
and  Supernatural  manner.  By  this  Offering 
(instituted  and  commanded  by  Christ)  we 
commemorate  and  show  forth  the  "  One,  Full, 


24  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

Perfect,  and  Sufficient  Sacrifice,  Oblation  and 
Satisfaction  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world," 
made  by  Our  Lord  on  the  Cross.  The  Holy 
Communion  is  often  called  the  Holy  Eucha- 
rist, since  it  is  the  Church's  service  of  praise 
and  thanksgiving,  the  Holy  Mysteries,  since 
it  is  above  our  understanding,  and  the  Mass 
or  Sacrifice  of  the  Altar,  since  it  doth  "  show 
the  Lord's  Death  until  He  come."  Our  Lord 
is  to  be  worshipped  and  adored  in  the  Blessed 
Sacrament,  since  He  is  Supernaturally  and 
Mystically   Present.' 

In  the  Holy  Communion,  or  Eucharistic 
Sacrifice,  it  is  Christ  Who  offers,  conse- 
crates, and  gives  His  Body  and  Blood  unto 
Everlasting  Life,  through  His  Priest  on  earth 
presenting  the  same  Sacrifice  which  in  Heaven 
He  offers  or  pleads  in  Glory  before  the 
Throne  of  God.^ 

Holy  Absolution  or  the  Sacrament  of  Pen- 
ance is  the  Confession  of  Sins  to  God  in  the 
presence  of  a  Priest,  "  God  having  given 
Power  and  Commandment  to  His  Ministers 
to  pronounce  to  His  people  being  penitent 
the  Absolution  and  Remission  of  their  sins."  ^ 
The  Priest  exercises  the  Ministry  of  Jesus 
Christ,  to  "  speak  in  His  Name,"  Our  Lord 
Himself  forgiving  sins  through  His  represent- 
ative, "the  Ambassador  of  God"  in  the  Min- 
istry  of   reconciliation.^ 

The  benefits  of  using  this  privilege  are 
these:  (i)  It  is  an  act  of  humility  and  shows 
one's    sorrow    for    sins;     (2)    it    obtains    the 

*   I  Cor.  X.  16,  xi.  27,  and  Institution. 

2  See  part  on  Holy  Order. 

'  St.  John  XX.  21-23,  Ordination  Office. 


INSTRUCTIONS  25 

godly  counsel  and  advice  of  the  Priest;  (3) 
it  secures  the  direct  personal  Absolution  of 
sin,  which  Absolution  is  the  spiritual  applica- 
tion to  the  soul  of  the  Precious  Blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  ;  (4)  it  enables  one  to  speak  freely  as 
is  nowhere  else  possible,  under  the  Seal  of 
Secrecy;  (5)  it  conveys  a  special  gift  of  Grace. 
The  Priest  who  hears  the  Confession  is  bound 
never  to  divulge  or  mention  it,  (even  to  those 
who  have  made  it)  outside  the  Confessional. 
Everything  is  done  to  protect  the  Penitent. 
The  Absolution  is  conditioned  upon  Faith, 
Love  and  Repentance,  so  that  an  insincere  or 
intentionally  incomplete  Confession  becomes 
sacrilege  and  merits  God's  displeasure. 

In  the  Anglican  Communion,  while  Confes- 
sion is  not  rigidly  enforced  as  in  the  other 
branches  of  the  Church,  and  in  this  sense  is 
voluntary,  nevertheless  it  should  be  regarded 
as  morally  obligatory  to  all  properly  taught 
people.  It  is  of  great  spiritual  help  both  to 
most  saintly  persons  and  to  those  who  have 
grievously  sinned.  True  contrition  brings  one 
to  use  this  Sacrament,  as  pleasing  to  God,  as 
of  Divine  command,  and  as  the  only  really 
safe  way  for  the  soul.  Those  who  have  never 
gone  to  Confession  know  nothing  of  its  help 
and  comfort.  They  should  be  advised  only 
by  those  who  know:  the  Clergy  who  hear 
Confessions  and  the  people  who  make  Confes- 
sions:  both  Clergy  and  Laity.  The  use  of  this 
Sacrament  is  a  great  privilege  and  brings  a 
great  blessing.  It  makes  repentance  real.  It 
expresses  the  need  of  God's  Grace.  It  de- 
velops character.     It  increases  holiness. 

People  should  not  allow  their  prejudices 
to  blind  them  to  speak  against  a  Sacrament 


26  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

which  probably  they  have  never  used,  when  a 
few  minutes  of  real  study  will  show  that 
Confession  has  been  a  practice  and  privilege 
of  the  whole  Church,  hallowed  by  the  use  of 
centuries  and  should  be  regularly  used. 

Holy  Confirmation  is  the  Sacrament  con- 
ferring the  Sevenfold  Gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
"  the  Spirit  of  Wisdom  and  Understanding, 
the  Spirit  of  Counsel  and  Ghostly  Strength, 
the  Spirit  of  Knowledge  and  True  Godliness, 
and  the  Spirit  of  Holy  Fear/'  four  of  which 
are  Intellectual  Gifts  enabling  us  to  know 
what  is  right,  and  three  are  Moral  Gifts 
enabling  us  to  do  what  is  right. 

Confirmation  also  renews  the  Baptismal 
Vows  of  Faith,  Love,  and  Repentance,  by 
which  one  promises  to  believe  in  God  and  all 
that  He  teaches  through  the  Church  as  to 
Doctrine,  Discipline,  and  Worship,  to  love 
God  and  follow  His  Will  and  Commandments 
and  to  resist  the_  deceits  of  the  world,  the 
flesh  and  the  Devil,  trying  to  keep  the  mind, 
body  and  soul  as  the  temple  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  sincerely  sorrowing  over  sin.  This 
Sacrament  is  sometimes  called  "the  Seal," 
or  "  Anointing "  from  the  ancient  practice  of 
touching  the  foreheads  of  the  Candidates  with 
holy  oil.  In  the  Roman  Church  it  is  con- 
ferred with  the  accompaniment  of  a  tap  on 
the  cheek,  but  the  Anglican  Communion  fol- 
lows the  more  Scriptural  way  of  the  "laying 
on  of  hands "  by  the  Bishop.  Confirma- 
tion brings  forth  the  twelve  frwits  of  the 
Spirit,  Love,  Joy,  Peace,  Longsuffering,  Gen- 
tleness, Goodness,  Truth,  Meekness,  Patience, 
Modesty,  Temperance,  and  Chastity.     The  re- 


INSTRUCTIONS  27 

quirement  for  Confirmation  (which  is  in- 
tended to  be  administered  to  the  young),  is 
that  the  Candidate  can  say  the  Creed,  the 
Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Ten  Commandments, 
and  is  sufficiently  "  instructed  in  all  other 
things  which  a  Christian  ought  to  know  and 
believe  to  his  soul's  health."  There  should  be 
the  threefold  Preparation  of  mind,  body,  and 
soul,  or  respectively :  instruction,  discipline, 
and   prayer. 

Confirmation  is  not  a  matter  of  choice,  but 
is  a  matter  of  duty.  Christ  and  His  Church 
call  all  to  be  confirmed  when  ready  for  this 
sacrament.  A  person  is  not  to  study  or  sur- 
vey all  religions  and  then  choose  the  one  he 
likes,  for  religion  is  not  a  matter  of  per- 
sonal preference,  but  of  Divine  Revelation. 
While  there  are  many  holy  people  in  bodies 
which  have  drifted  away  from  "  The  Faith 
once  delivered  to  the  Saints,"  the  Church 
alone  offers  the  full  measure  of  grace  and 
blessing  in  real  ministry  and  real  sacraments, 
for  which  no  sure  warrant  exists  elsewhere. 

God  has  promised  His  Divine  assistance, 
and  we  may  be  sure  that  He  never  fails  to 
give  His  grace  to  those  who  love  Our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  who  desire,  through  the 
Sacrament  of  "  the  laying  on  of  hands,"  to 
have  the  privilege  of  receiving  their  Saviour's 
Blessed  Body  and  Blood  in  the  Holy  Sacrifice 
of  the  Altar. 

Holy  Matrimony  is  the  indissoluble  union 
of  a  man  and  a  woman,  makinsr  them  husband 
and  wife,  and  is  "an  honourable  estate  insti- 
tuted of  God,  in  the  time  of  man's  innocency, 
signifying  unto  us  the  mystical  union  that  is 


^  THE  PRACTICE  OF  RELIGION 

betwixt  Christ  and  His  Church,"!  The  min- 
isters of  Holy  Matrimony  are  the  man  and 
woman,  who  plight  their  troth  before  proper 
witnesses,  the  Church  blessing  and  solemni:;- 
ing  the  union.  Unbaptized  persons,  near  re- 
lations and  those  divorced,  and  also  those 
prevented  by  certain  impediments  set  forth 
by  the  Scriptures  and  the  Church,  cannot  con- 
tract sacramental  marriage.  Holy  Matrimony 
is  "not  by  any  to  be  entered  into  unadvisedly 
or  lightly ;  but  reverently,  discreetly,  ad- 
visedly, soberly,  and  in  the  fear  of  God/'  i 
The  union  cannot  be  severed,  for  marriage 
when  consummated,  makes  the  man  and 
woman  one  flesh,'"  2  Even  if  they  live  apart, 
neither  can  remarry  during  the  life  of  the 
other,  for  "those  whom  God  hath  joined  to- 
gether let  no  man  put  asunder/'  The  Divine 
purpose  of  Matrimony  is:  (i)  for  bringing 
children  into  the  world  to  be  raised  in  the  fear 
and  nurture  of  the  Lodrd;  (2)  for  preventing 
sin;  (3)  for  mutual  love  and  companionship. 
Marriage  should  take  place  in  Church.  If 
either  party  has  been  of  a  different  belief, 
such  party  should  'be  confirmed  or  received 
into  the  Church  before  marriage. 

Holy  Order  is  the  Sacrament  whereby 
those  called  by  God  to  the  Sacred  Ministry 
are  ordained  Bishops,  Priests,  or  Deacons. 
Ordination  is  had  by  "the  laying  on  of  hands" 
of  the  Bishop,  accompanied  by  prayer  and  in- 
vocation of  the  Holy  Ghost,  thus  continuing 
the  Apostolic  Succession  from  Our  Lord  and 
His  Disciples,  conferring  ministerial  character 
and   giving    the   cure    of    souls.      The    sipecial 

^  Marriage   Service.  *  Genesis  ii.   23,   24. 


INSTRUCTIONS  2g 

office  of  a  Bishop  is  to  confirm,  ordain,  conse- 
crate, and  rule  in  the  Church.  That  of  a 
Priest  is  to  absolve  from  sin,  to  consecrate 
and  offer  the  Holy  Eucharist,  to  preach  the 
Gospel,  and  to  minister  among  men.  The 
clergy  are  to  he  esteemed :  "very  highly  for 
their  work's  sake,'"^  for  the  Bible  says  they 
are :  "the  ambassadors  of  Christ/'2  to 
"speak  in  His  Name"  as  "Stewards  of  the 
Mysteries  of  God/'  3 

Holy  Unction  is  the  Anointing  of  the  Sick 
with  oil  blessed  by  the  Bishop  as  an  aid  to 
recovery,  and  is  a  rite  ordered  by  God.  4 

It  is  accompanied  with  Prayer.  It  is  often 
administered  by  signing  the  Cross  with  the 
Oil  only  on  the  forehead.  Its  use  is  to  be 
desired  in  serious  illness  as  an  aid  to  recovery. 
Many  cures  have  taken  place  according  to 
God's  promise.  4 

Of  these  Sacraments,  Holy  Baptism,  Holy 
Confirmation  and  Holy  Order  can  only  be 
received  once  since  they  confer  "character." 
To  repeat  except  conditionally  is  sacrilege. 
Holy  Communion  and  Holy  Absolution,  how- 
ever, are  to  he  regularly  used,  and  Holy 
Unction  when  necessary. 

The  Holy  Eucharist  being  a  Sacrifice  as 
well  as  a  Sacrament  is  offered  both  for  the 
Living  and  the  Dead.  To  pray  that  the  de- 
parted may  "rest  in  peace,"  that  "light  per- 
petual may  shine  upon  them"  and  that  they 
may  soon  have  their  perfect  consummation 
and  bliss,  is  a  custom  ancient  and  Scriptural, 
is  found  set  forth  in  the  Early  Liturgies  and 
the  Catacombs  and  appeals  to  all  who  believe 
in   "the  Communion'  of   Saints." 

ii   Thess.  V.   13.  3  Cor.   v.  20. 

*Cor.  iv.   I.  *  St.  James  v,   15. 


IV 

THE  SPIRITUAL  LIFE 

SIN  is  the  Transgression  of  the  Law  of  God, 
the  result  of  following  the  Temptation 
of  the  Devil,  who  while  he  cannot  force,  may 
persuade  us  to  do  wrong. 

Sin  may  be  by  Commission  or  Omission,  by 
Thought  or  Word  or  Deed.  It  may  be  Mor- 
tal, that  is  when  done  willingly,  knozvingly, 
and  deliberately,  and  its  nature  is  grave,  or 
Venial,  when  not  so  committed  and  the 
offence  is  slight. 

Only  Mortal  Sin  separates  from  God,  but 
as  all  sin  is  displeasing  to  Him  and  as  Venial 
Sin  may  easily  grow  to  be  Mortal  Sin,  we 
should  be  on  our  watch  for  the  beginnings 
of  wrongdoing,  especially  guarding  against 
every  form  of  Pride,  Anger,  Covetousness, 
Lust,  Envy,  Sloth,  and  Gluttony,  which  are 
called  Capital  Sins,  since  they  are  the  heads 
from  which  all  evildoing  springs. 

We  cannot  exaggerate  the  awfulness  of  sin 
and  its  danger  to  our  souls,  for  the  Bible  says, 
"  the  wages  of  sin  is  death/'  ^ 

Grace  is  the  sanctifying  power  of  God  and 
comes  by  Jesus  Christ,  given  to  us  by  His 
ordinance  through  the  Holy  Catholic  Church, 
the  Dispenser  of  Grace.  Our  Lord  says,  "  My 
grace  is  sufUcient  for  thee."^  Grace  illumines 
conscience,  increases  Faith,  Love,  and  Repent- 

1  Rom.  vi.  23.  2  3  Cor.  xii.  9. 


BEHOLD   I    STAND   AT   THE   DOOR 
AND   knock/' 


INSTRUCTIONS  31 

ance,  and  inclines  to  Prayer,  Fasting,  and 
Almsgiving.  Habitual  Grace  is  that  abiding  in 
the  soul,  rendering  one  pleasing  to  God.  Ac- 
tual Grace  is  that  conferred  by  God  for  a  spe- 
cial purpose.  To  be  in  "a  state  of  grace"  is 
to  be  free  from  mortal  sin  and  at  peace  with 
God,  which  condition  comes  from  the  use  of 
the  Sacraments  and  the  practice  of  Penitence. 

Penitence  is  the  fruit  of  Grace  working  in 
the  soul  of  the  sinner.  St.  Chrysostom  says, 
"Three  things  are  necessary  to  Penitence — 
in  the  heart  Contrition,  in  the  mouth  Confes- 
sion, in  the  life  Amendment."  Contrition  is 
the  Love  of  God  that  grieves  for  sinning 
against  Him,  "ivhich  godly  sorrow  worketh 
repentance  unto  salvation."  i  Confession  is 
acknowledging  our  sins  to  God  after  self- 
examination.  This  should  be  made  to  a  Priest 
as  GoD-'s  Ambassador.  It  obtains  God's  for- 
giveness, for  "if  we  confess  our  sins,  God  is 
faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins  and 
to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness."  2 
Amendment  is  the  making  satisfaction  or 
restitution  for  sin,  the  leading  a  better  life.  It 
should  have  its  outward  sign  in  works  of 
Devotion  and  Discipline,  to  help  us  overcome 
sin  and  advance  in  the  spiritual  life,  for 
"with  such  sacrifices  God  is  well  pleased."  3 

Penitence  is  a  necessary  part  of  our  prep- 
aration for  'Holy  Communion.  It  shows  the 
state  of  the  soul  in  God's  sight. 

^2  Cor.  vii.   10     -  I   St.  John  i.  9.     ^  Heb.  xiii,   16. 


V 

THE  BLESSED   SACRAMENT 

The  Gift 

THE  greatest  Gift  of  God  to  man  is  the 
Holy  Communion  of  the  Body  and  Blood 
of  Christ.  The  Blessed  Sacrament  is  the 
very  centre  of  the  Church's  Faith  and  Wor- 
ship and  the  greatest  help  in  the  Spiritual 
Life.  In  Holy  Mystery  it  sets  forth  the  four 
great  parts  in  the  work  of  redemption — the 
Incarnation,  Crucifixion,  Resurrection,  a«d 
Ascension.  The  Blessed  Sacrament  is  the 
Sacrifice  in  which  we  plead  the  Death  of  Our 
Lord,  also  the  Sacrament  in  which  we  re- 
ceive the  Living  Christ.  Thus  by  Holy  Com- 
munion we  are  enabled  to  offer  the  memorial 
of  the  One  Sacrifice  for  sin  and  be  brought 
into  union  with  God,  living  "a  life  hid  with 
Christ  in  God."  ^  He  dwells  in  us  and 
we  in  Him,  and  through  this  mystical  union 
our  whole  spiritual  being  is  strengthened,  illu- 
mined and  quickened,  and  we  are  enabled  to 
use  the  Divine  Grace  given  and  respond  more 
perfectly  to  the  prompting  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Consequently  those  who  stay  away  from  God's 
Altar  are  in  a  state  of  Spiritual  starvation  and 
are  openly  refusing  Our  dear  Lord's  invita- 
tion, ''Come  unto  Me,"  "Do  this  in  Remem- 
brance of  Me."  Each  Communion  missed  is 
thus  a  grave  loss  to  the  soul. 

» Col.  iii.  3. 
32 


instructions  33 

The  Test  of  Our  Religious  Life 

The  Blessed  Sacrament  is  the  test  of  our 
faith,  love,  and  obedience.  Faith  makes  us 
believe  in  Our  Lord's  words  and  acknowledge 
the  Presence  of  Jesus  in  the  Sacramerit; 
love  induces  us  to  receive  and  worship  Him 
there  present;  obedience  constrains  us  to  offer 
that  Holy  Sacrifice  as  Our  Lord  hath  com- 
manded. Holy  Communion  should  be  the 
greatest  joy  in  life,  Eucharistic  Worship  the 
greatest  privilege,  for  by  the  first  we  receive 
the  Lord  of  Life  and  by  the  second  we  adore 
Him  Who  is  the  Sovereign  King  of  Kings. 
Thus  the  Blessed  Sacrament  is,  as  it  were,  a 
foretaste  of  Heaven,  ushering  us  into  the  very 
Presence  Chamber,  before  the  Altar  Throne 
of  Him  Who  is  at  once  Our  Saviour  and  Our 
Judge.  And  by  that  Communion  we  receive 
remission  of  sin,  increase  of  grace,  illumina- 
tion of  mind,  purification  of  desire,  strengthen- 
ing of  will,  union  with  God,  and  the  Pledge 
of  everlasting  life/ 

Then  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  life  will 
receive  a  new  inspiration  to  holiness  as  with 
sin  forgiven  and  grace  received,  Jesus  meets 
the  Penitent,  saying,  "  Whoso  eateth  My  Flesh 
and  drinketh  My  Blood  hath  Eternal  Life, 
and  I  will  raise  him  up  at  the  Last  Day."  * 

Adoration  of  Our  Lord  Present 

If  the  approach  to  earthly  monarchs  and 
rulers  is  accompanied  with  outward  reverence 
and  homage,  with  what  adoration  and  wor- 
ship   should    we    draw    near    to    Our    Lord 

1  St.  John  vi.  54. 


34  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

Enthroned  in  the  Sacrament  of  the  Altar! 
For  Jesus  Christ  is  as  Really  Present  in  the 
Holy  Communion  as  He  is  in  the  Courts  of 
Heaven,  although  after  a  different  manner. 
Consequently  our  earthly  worship  should  be 
modelled  after  the  Heavenly  Pattern  and 
"  with  Angels  and  Archangels  and  all  the  Com- 
pany of  Heaven  "  we  should  adore  Him,  Who 
is  Our  Lord  and  Master,  Saviour  and  King. 

We  do  not  genuflect  to  the  earthly  elements 
of  Bread  and  Wine,  but  to  Christ  Really  and 
Supernaturally  Present  after  Consecration 
under  those  outward  forms.  For  since  Our 
Lord  is  God,  we  must  not  fail  to  give  Him 
the  worship  due  to  God.  Well  St.  Augustine 
said  in  ancient  times:  "No  one  eats  this 
Flesh  unless  he  first  adores." 

Fasting  Communion 

Fasting  Communion  is  one  of  the  most 
ancient  and  hallowed  practices  and  counsels 
of  the  Church.  Its  motive  is  love  and  adora- 
tion toward  Our  Lord  in  the  Blessed  Sacra- 
ment and  the  desire  to  offer  Christ  the  sacri- 
fice of  ourselves  in  makiner  Him  the  first  Gift 
received. 

Canons  innumerable  have  ordered  and  es- 
tablished the  custom,  and  the  observation  of 
this  rule  for  centuries  has  shown  the  appeal 
it  makes  to  all  devout  and  reverent  souls. 
St.  Augustine  says,  "  the  Sacrament  is  every- 
where partaken  of  by  persons  fasting ; "  St. 
Basil :  "  without  fasting  it  is  impossible  to 
venture  upon  the  sacred  mysteries ;  "  Jeremy 
Taylor :  "  he  that  despises  this  custom  gives 
nothing  but  the  testimony  of  an  evil  mind ;  " 


INSTRUCTIONS  35 

Bingham :  "  the  general  custom  of  the  Church 
is  to  receive  the  Eucharist  fasting."  These 
quotations  from  widely  different  sources  show 
the  universality  of  the  custom.  It  is  the  rule 
of  all  three  branches  of  the  Church. 

In  communicating  one  should  never  keep 
on  gloves,  use  a  handkerchief  for  the  lips,  or 
keep  a  veil  over  the  face.  All  should  be  very 
careful  not  to  drop  or  spill  any  of  the  conse- 
crated elements,  for  they  are  the  Body  and 
Blood  of  Jesus  CnrasT. 

Our   Offering. 

The  principle  of  true  worship  is  that  of 
offering  sacrifice.  No  Service  of  the  Church 
fulfils  this  requirement  except  the  Holy  Eu- 
charist, which  is  the  continual  remembrance 
of  Our  Lord's  Death  and  Passion  on  the 
Cross.  It  is  this  Sacrifice  on  Calvary  to 
which  the  Old  Testament  Sacrifices  looked. 
They  were  the  antitypes  of  which  the  Holy 
Eucharist  is  the  Memorial.  Consequently  the 
obligation  for  Worship  is  only  fulfilled  in  at- 
tendance at  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Altar, 
by  which  presence  the  faithful  "  assist "  at  the 
Solemn  Offering.  And  in  the  Oblation  there 
made,  there  is  not  only  the  Representation 
of  the  one,  full,  perfect  and  sufficient  Sacrifice, 
Oblation  and  Satisfaction  which  Our  Lord 
made  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  but 
there  is  also:  the  Sacrifice  of  Praise  and 
Thanksgiving  for  God's  Blessings,  the  Sacri- 
fice of  Prayer  and  Intercession  for  both  the 
Living  and  the  Dead,  and  the  Offering  of 
ourselves,  our  souls,  and  bodies  as  a  reason- 
able, holy  and  living  Sacrifice  unto  God. 


VI 

PUBLIC  WORSHIP 

P  UBLIC  Worship  and  Private  Devotions 
^  are  both  essential  to  the  Spiritual  life, 
as  a  duty  and  as  a  privilege.  While  Private 
Devotions  are  determined  by  the  individual, 
Public  Worship  is  regulated  'by  the  Church, 
Catholic  Usage  and  Tradition  and  not  private 
judgment  being  the  Authority  for  the  Rites, 
Ceremonies,  and  Character  of  the  Service. 

The  Offering  of  Public  Worship  is  for  the 
formal  recognition  of  God  and  for  His  Honour 
and  Glory.  Consequently  the  Rites  and  Cere- 
monies used  should  be  such  as  make  God's 
Service  beautiful,  symbolize  doctrine,  and 
show  forth  reverence,  for  well  St.  Paul  says  : 
"Let  all  things  be  done  decently  and  in  order." 
This  has  been  the  custom  from  the  beginning. 
Lights,  Incense,  V-estments,  and  all  the  accom- 
paniment of  an  ornate  service  having  their 
origin  in  remote  antiquity,  and  still  continuing 
to  be  the  universal  use  of  the  Church. 

This  ceremonial  mainly  centres  in  the 
Holy  Eucharist,  the  only  Service  of  Divine 
Institution  and  Ohligation,  called  the  Altar 
Service.  The  other  Offices  are  called  Choir 
Services  and  those  officiating  simply  vest  in 
Cassock  and  Surplice.  Reference  here  need 
only  he  made  to  the  Ceremonial  used  at  the 
Altar  Service.  The  Ceremonial  is  not,  as  some 
erroneously  think,  borrowed  from  the  modern 

36 


INSTRUCTIONS  37 

Roman  Church,  but  was  in  use  by  the  Church 
of  England  centuries  ago,  and  is  the  heritage 
of  the  ages  past  of  all  three  branches  of  the 
Church. 

The  ceremonial  acts  of  crossing,  kneeling, 
bowing,  and  the  like,  whether  by  Priest  or 
People,  are  made  as  acts  of  reverence.  A 
general  guide  is :  to  sign  the  Cross  before  and 
after  the  service,  at  the  end  of  the  Creed, 
before  the  Gospel,  when  the  Priest  turns  with 
the  Sacrament  to  the  people,  at  the  end  of  the 
Gloria  in  Excelsis,  in  the  Absolution,  and  in 
the  Blessing;  to  bow  at  the  Holy  Name  of 
Jesus  and  to  the  Altar  in  passing,  and  on 
entering  and  leaving  Church ;  to  genuflect  in 
the  Creed  at  the  mention  of  the  Incarnation 
and  before  and  after  approaching  the  Altar  for 
Communion. 

Before  the  Service,  the  Priest  or  Celebrant 
enters  the  Sacristy  and  puts  on  the  Ancient 
Eucharistic  Vestments,  used  to  symbolize  the 
Passion  of  Our  Lord,  These  Vestments  are 
the  Amice  (or  folded  linen  about  the  neck), 
the  Alb  (a  white  linen  cassock),  the  Girdle 
(a  cord  about  the  waist),  the  Stole  (a  silk 
scarf  crossed  on  the  breast),  the  Maniple 
(a  stole  on  the  left  arm),  and  the  Chasuble 
(a  circular  garment  marked  with  a  Cross), 
these  respectively  symbolizing  the  handker- 
chief which  blindfolded  Christ,  the  white  robe 
placed  on  Him  by  Herod,  the  ropes  about  His 
Throat,  Hands,  and  Waist,  and  His  Own 
Seamless  Robe.  Before  or  during  this  time 
the  Server  makes  ready  the  Sacred  Vessels. 
He  puts  over  the  Chalice  a  folded  linen  nap- 
kin, called   a    Purificator,   places   on   this   the 


38  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

Paten  and  a  large  bread  or  wafer,  called  the 
Host,  and  over  all  the  Linen  Veil  or  Pall 
and  Silk  Veil  and  the  Burse,  or  silken  pocket, 
containing  a  large  square  of  linen  called  the 
Corporal,  to  spread  on  the  Altar.  Then,  after 
a  brief  prayer,  the  Priest  takes  the  Sacred 
Vessels  and,  preceded  by  the  Server,  enters 
the  Sanctuary.  He  bows  to  the  Altar,  and 
going  to  it  arranges  upon  it  the  Prayer  Book 
and  Sacred  Vessels,  and  then  returning  to  the 
Altar  Steps,  with  the  Server  begins  a  short 
devotional  preparation  for  the  Service,  after 
which,  going  to  the  Epistle  side,  he  begins 
the  Service.  He  prays  with  arms  extended 
to  form  a  cross,  to  obey  St.  Paul's  command 
"  that  men  pray  everywhere  lifting  up  holy 
hands'';^  he  genuflects  at  certain  times  as  a 
special  act  of  reverence,  at  the  mention  of  the 
Incarnation  and  to  Our  Lord  Present  in  the 
Sacrament ;  he  washes  his  fingers  ceremoni- 
ously to  signify  the  need  of  purity,  "  /  zi'ill 
wash  my  hands  in  innocency,  O  Lord,  and 
so  will  I  go  to  Thine  Altar "•,^  he  sometimes 
sings  or  intones  the  Service,  as  the  Psalmist 
says,  "O  come,  let  us  sing  unto  the  Lord"; 
he  crosses  and  kisses  the  Gospel  because  it 
is  the  story  of  man's  salvation  won  by  the 
Cross ;  he  cleanses  the  Sacred  Vessels  by  the 
Ablutions  after  the  Service  to  see  that  none 
of  the  Consecrated  Elements  are  left. 

The  Service  itself,  largely  derived  from 
ancient  liturgies  but  considerably  adapted,  may 
be  divided  into  the  two  parts  (common  to  all 
liturgies)   and  explained  as  follows: — 

I  I  St.  Timothy  ii.  8.  2  Psalm  xxvi.  6. 


INSTRUCTIONS  39 

(a)  Tlie   Piro- Anaphora. 

The  Introduction:  or  up  to  the  Offertory, 
containing  chiefly  the  Kyrie  Eleison,  Collects, 
Epistle,   Gospel,  and  Creed ; 

Thee  Offertory:  or  the  Presentation  of  Alms 
and  Oblations  and  the  Prayer  for  the  Church; 

The  Approach:  or  the  Exhortation,  Confes- 
sion, Absolution,  and  Comfortable  Words. 

(b)  The  Anjapliora. 

The  Canon:  or  the  Sursum  Corda,  Intro- 
duction, Preface,  Sanctus,  Prayer  of  Humble 
Access,  Consecration,  with  the  Words  of  In- 
stitution,  Oblation,   and  Invocation ; 

The  Communion:  first  of  Priest,  then  of 
people    (if  any  of  them  are  to  receive;)  ^ 

The  Thanksgiving:  including  the  Gloria  in 
Excelsis  and  Benediction. 

In  the  rendering  of  the  Service  the  Holy 
Eucharist  is  called  a  "Plain  Celebration"  or 
"Low  Mass"  when  the  office  is  read  and 
there  is  only  one  Priest,  with  Server,  and  only 
two  candles  are  used.  It  is  a  "Sung  Eucha- 
rist" or  "Missa  Cantata"  when  chorally 
rendered,  with  Priest,  two  Servers,  other  Aco- 
lytes and  Choir.  Then  all  of  the  candles  are 
lighted.  A  "High  Miass"  or  "High  Celebration" 
is  the  same  except  that  it  is  sung  with  the 
three  "Sacred  Ministers"  (Celebrant,  Deacon 
and  Sub-Deacon)  and  the  (Teremonial  is  more 
elaborate.  We  speak  of  a  "Solemn  Mass"  or 
"Solemn  High  Mass"  when  Incense  is  used. 
A  "Requiem  Mass"  is  that  for  the  dear  de- 
parted. A  "Nuptial  Mass"  is  one  said  or  sung 
at  a  marriage.  All  Ritual  or  Ceremonial  Acts 
have  their  meaning.  Their  motive  is  the 
Glory    of    GoD^    giving    God    our    best    and 


40  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

making  our  bodily  acts  show  forth  the  rever- 
ence and  devotion  of  the  soul.  Thus  the 
Lights  and  Flowers  on  the  Altar,  the  fragrant 
Incense,  the  rich  Hangings,  the  solemn  Music, 
the  Ritual  Acts  are  all  beautiful  parts  of  our 
Sacrifice  of  Praise  and  Thanksgiving  to  Al- 
mighty God,  the  homage  of  devout  and  humble 
hearts  bowed  in  adoration  before  the  Altar 
Throne  of  the  King  of  Kings. 

A  beautiful  spiritual  and  symbolic  meaning 
is  as  follows :  the  Introit  typifies  the  Song 
of  the  Angels  at  Christ's  coming ;  the  Col- 
lect for  Purity  the  way  of  approach  to  the 
Holy  Mysteries ;  the  Kyrie  our  need  of  God's 
mercy;  the  Epistle,  Salvation  refused  by  the 
Jews;  the  Gospel,  the  Faith  accepted  by  the 
Gentiles;  the  Creed,  Our  Lord  teaching;  the 
Alms  and  Oblations,  the  Offerings  of  the  Wise 
Men ;  the  Prayer  for  the  Church,  the  union  of 
Living  and  Dead  in  Christ;  the  Comfortable 
Words,  the  call  of  Jesus  ;  the  Benedictus,  the 
greeting  of  the  Faithful ;  the  Sursum  Corda, 
the  coming  joy;^  the  Canon  of  Consecration, 
Our  Lord's  Passion ;  the  Agnus  Dei,  our  wor- 
ship of  the  Lamb;  the  Communion,  the  En- 
tombment; the  Gloria  in  Excelsis,  the  Resur- 
rection ;   the  Benediction,  the   Ascension. 

In  the  performance  of  the  Service,  where 
the  Prayer  Book  leaves  doubt  as  to  the  proper 
Ritual  or  Ceremonial,  the  appeal  should  be 
to  the  approved  usage  of  the  Universal 
Church. 


A  VERY  ANCIENT  CELTIC  CROSS  CARVED 
WITH  SCT^IPTURAL  SCENES,  IN  THE  CEN- 
TRE BEING  THE  LAST  JUDGMENT,  AND  ON 
THE    REVERSE    SIDE    THE    CRUCIFIXION. 


VII 

CHRISTIAN  SYMBOLISM 

CHRISTIAN  Symbolism  is  the  use  of 
signs  and  emblems  to  teach  and  present 
religious  truths.  Words  often  fail  where  sym- 
bolism succeeds,  while  taken  together  they 
frequently  make  spiritual  things  more  easily 
grasped.  The  value  of  this  method  in  the 
early  days,  when  learning  was  not  general  and 
printing  unknown,  cannot  be  overestimated. 
And  symbolism  added  a  certain  mystical  ele- 
ment always  attractive  in  Religion.  For  the 
proper  understanding  of  Christian  Art  and 
Architecture  some  knowledge  of  symbolism 
is  absolutely  necessary.  Some  of  the  most 
frequently  occurring  representations  are  the 
following : 

The  Aureole  is  the  luminous  cloud  or  circle 
of  light  used  in  religious  pictures  to  surround 
the  w^hole  figure.  It  symbolizes  the  Glory  of 
God  and  is  only  properly  used  for  Divine  Per- 
sons or  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

Alpha  and  Omega,  the  first  and  last  letters 
of  the  Greek  Alphabet,  signify  the  Eternity 
of  God. 

Three  Circles  connected  by  bands  forming 
an  equilateral  triangle  symbolize  the  Three 
Persons  of  the   Ever   Blessed  Trinity. 

The  Dove  represents  the  Holy  Ghost. 
41 


42  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

The  Eye  symbolizes  God  the  Father,  tell- 
ing of  His  All-Seeing  Eye.  The  Father  is 
also  represented  by  a  Hand,  and  also  by  the 
upper  part  of  the  Figure  of  a  Man. 

The  Flames  of  Fire  signify  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

In  Flowers  the  Lily  signifies  Purity,  the 
Pomegranate  Immortality,  the   Rose  Love. 

The  Fish  represents  Our  Lord  and  also 
the  Eucharist.  The  Greek  word  "I.t^i'C " 
which  means  *'  Fish,"  is  spelled  from  the  first 
letters  of  Greek  words  meaning,  "  Jesus 
Christ,  Son  of  God,  Saviour."  This  sign  was 
used  as  a  secret  symbol  by  the  early  Christians 
in  the  days  of  persecution. 

The  Good  Shepherd  is  Our  Lord.  This  is 
probably  the  earliest  of  all  Christian  symbols. 

I.  H.  S.  are  initials  of  the  Holy  Name. 
They  are  generally  taken  to  stand  for  "  Jesus 
hominum  Salvator "  (Jesus  the  Saviour  of 
men),  but  more  likely  they  are  an  abbreviated 
form  of  the  Greek  letters  of  the  words  Jesus 
Christ,   with   a   Cross  between   them. 

The  Lamb  typifies  Our  Lord  as  the  Lamb 
of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world. 
It  is  usually  seen  holding  a  banner  and  Cross. 

The  Nimbus  is  the  halo  of  light  placed  about 
the  heads  of  Saints  and  Angels,  symbolizing 
the  beauty  of  holiness. 


INSTRUCTIONS  43 

The  Orb  surmounted  with  a  Cross  means 
that  the  Christian  Religion  is  for  all.  It  often 
has  under  it  written  in  Latin,  "  The  Cross 
stands  while  the  world  revolves." 

The  Passion  of  Our  Lord  is  typified  by  the 
Crown  of  Thorns,  Spear  and  Nails,  the  Five 
Sacred  Wounds,  the  Precious  Blood  and  the 
Sheet.  Sometimes  there  are  added  the  Reed, 
the  Scourge,  the  Seamless  Robe,  the  Pillar, 
the  Cock  and  also  the   Passion  Flower. 

The  Pelican,  a  bird  which  nourishes  its 
young  with  its  own  blood,  symbolizes  Our 
Lord  feeding  the  faithful  with  the  Blessed 
Sacrament. 

The  Rock  represents  sometimes  Christ, 
sometimes  the  Church. 

The  Star  is  the  emblem  of  Christ,  "the 
bright  and  morning  Star."  This  is  particularly 
used  to  illustrate  Christmas  and  Epiphany. 

The  Holy  Communion  is  represented  by  a 
Chalice  with  the  Host  above  it ;  by  the  Wheat 
and  Grapes  and  also  by  some  of  the  Symbols 
of  Our  Lord. 

Of  Trees,  the  Cedar  symbolizes  consecra- 
tion, the  Cypress  mourning,  the  Laurel  victory, 
the  Mustard  growth,  the  Oak  strength,  the 
Olive  peace.  A  beautiful  legend  says  that  the 
True  Cross  was  the  Tree  of  Life  in  the 
Garden  of  Eden,  later  on  used  in  the  Temple 
and  finally  discarded,  to  be  taken  for  the 
Crucifixion  of  Christ. 

The  Trefoil,  copied  after  the  Clover  or 
Shamrock,  represents  the  Trinity.    St.  Patrick 


44  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

is   said   to   have  taught   this   doctrine    from   a 
Shamrock. 

In  all  of  these  symbols  there  is  no  offense 
against  the  Commandment,  for  God  is  never 
represented  as  God  but  by  some  attribute. 

Of  a  different  kind  is  the  Symbolism  asso- 
ciated with  the  arrangement,  the  appointments 
and  the  Services  of  the  Church,  the  most 
interesting  of  which  may  briefly  be  noted  as 
follows,  as  well  as  certain  other  adjuncts  of 
a  Ceremonial  Service : 

The  Altar  symbolizes  Mount  Calvary,  where 
Our  Lord  was  offered  for  the  sins  of  the 
world. 

Ashes  signify  Penitence  and  Death, 

Bells  signify  the  call  to  devotion  and  atten- 
tion as  the  Sacring  Bell,  the  Sanctus  Bell,  the 
Passing  Bell. 

Banners  symbolize  the  Church  moving  as  an 
army  to  victory  as  the  Psalmist  says,  ''  Thou 
hast  given  a  Banner  to  them  that  fear  thee." 

The  Candles  symbolize  that  Our  Lord  was 
the  Light  of  the  World.  The  two  larger  ones, 
or  Eucharistic  Lights,  represent  Christ's  Di- 
vine and  Human  Natures.  The  Seven 
Branch  or  Vesper  Lights  tell  of  the  Seven 
Gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost  or  the  Seven  Sacra- 
ments. There  has  always  been  large  deviation 
as  to  the  number  of  lights  used  at  Services. 

The  Cross  represents  the  mode  of  Our 
Lord's  Death.  Though  long  antedating  Chris- 
tianity it  was  early  adopted  as  its  greatest 
Sacred  Symbol.  Of  the  many  forms  of  the 
Cross,  the  Latin,  the  Celtic,  the  Greek  and  the 


INSTRUCTIONS  45 

Maltese  are  those  most  generally  seen.  The 
shape  of  the  "  True  Cross  "  was  probably  the 
Latin  (or  perhaps  the  "T")  Cross,  having 
the  lower  arm  longer  than  the  others. 

The  Crucifix  is  the  Cross  with  the  Carved 
Figure  of  Christ  added  to  it.  Its  use  is  very 
ancient  and  very  helpful. 

The  Church  Building  symbolizes  the  Ark 
or  Ship  of  the  Lord,  in  which  the  Nave,  Chan- 
cel and  Sanctuary  (which  correspond  to  the 
Court,  the  Holy  Place  and  the  Holy  of  Holies 
of  the  Jewish  Temple)  respectively  represent 
the  Church  Militant,  the  Church  Expectant 
and  the  Church  Triumphant  or  Earth,  "  Para- 
dise" and  Heaven. 

The  Coloured  Hangings  on  the  Altar  mark 
the  Church's  Seasons :  white  or  gold  signifying 
joy;  red,  martyrdom;  purple,  penitence;  green, 
hope ;  black,  death.  Red  is  also  used  for  the 
Holy  Ghost  and  blue  for  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary.  This  modern  sequence  of  colours  has 
generally  supplanted  that  of  Old  Sarum  use, 
or  Gold,  Blue,  Purple,  Red  and  White,  known 
as  "  the  five  Mystic  Colours "  because  given 
the  Jews  by  command  of  God. 

The  Flowers  are  used  in  honour  of  Our 
Lord  and  symbolically  show  that  He  is  "  The 
Rose  of  Sharon  and  the  Lily  of  the  Valley." 
They  are  sometimes  scattered  before  Proces- 
sions. 

The  Fair  Linen  represents  the  Linen  wound 
about  Our  Lord's  Body  on  the  Day  of  the 
Passion.  It  is  marked  with  five  little  crosses 
symbolizing  the  Five  Sacred  Wounds. 


46  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

Incense  typifies  the  Merits  of  Christ  and 
the  Prayers  of  the  Saints.  It  is  of  Divine 
Authority  and  has  always  been  associated  with 
the  worship  of  both  the  Jewish  and  Christian 
Church.  The  Bible  says,  "  hi  every  place  In- 
cense shall  he  offered  unto  My  Name  and  a 
pure  offering." 

Oil  symbolizes  Grace  and  Blessing. 

Palms  signify  praise,  triumph  and  thanks- 
giving. They  were  ordered  to  be  carried  by 
God  Himself,^  and  were  borne  in  honour  of 
Our  Lord  and  their  homage  accepted  by  Him 
on  the  first  Palm  Sunday. 

A  Procession  signifies  the  Journey  of  the 
soul  to  God  for  "  they  will  go  from  strength  to 
strength  and  unto  the  God  of  gods  appeareth 
every  one  of  them  in  Sion."  It  is  preceded  by 
the  Cross,  as  the  symbol  of  the  triumph  of  the 
Church  and  because  we  follow  Jesus,  Who 
"  went  forth  bearing  His  Cross."  Lights  are 
borne,  for  those  who  go  with  Christ  "  shall 
not  zvalk  in  darkness"  and  Banners  are  car- 
ried because  God  said,  "Lift  ye  up  a  Banner." 
Incense  is  used  to  sj^mbolize  the  Merits  of 
Christ  and  Flowers  are  sometimes  strewn  to 
signify  the  beauty  of  holiness  and  the  fra- 
grance of  devotion.  In  a  Procession  a  richly 
embroidered  Vestment  called  a  Cope  is  worn 
by  the  Priest  in  honour  of  Him,  upon  Whom 
Herod  in  mockery  placed  a  gorgeous  robe. 

The  Reredos  is  the  screen  behind  the  Altar. 
In  front  of  it  is  a  kind  of  shelf  or  "  re-table  " 
used  to  place  flowers  and  candles  upon. 
^Lev.  xxiii.  40. 


INSTRUCTIONS  47 

The  Rood  Screen  (that  which  separates  the 
Chancel  from  the  Nave)  symbolizes  the  Gate 
of  Death,  leading  from  earth  to  Heaven  by 
the  Cross.  The  Crucifix  here  is  called  the 
Rood. 

Vestments  of  the  Priest  symbolize  the  Gar- 
ments worn  by  Our  Lord  on  the  Day  of  the 
Passion.^ 

Water  typifies  pardon  and  absolution. 

The  following  have  no  symbolical  meaning, 
but  a  well  informed  Churchman  should  know 
what  such  names   represent: 

The  Acolytes  are  those  who  walk  with  the 
Crucifer  or  who  serve  at  the  Altar. 

The  Boat  Bearer  is  the  one  who  carries  the 
vessel  holding  the  Incense  to  be  burned. 

The  Censer  is  the  vessel  with  chains,  m 
which  the  Incense  is  burned  and  swung. 

The  Credence  Table  is  that  which  holds  the 
Breads,  Wine  and  Water  to  be  used  for  the 
Communion. 

The  Crucifer  is  he  who  carries  the  Cross  in 
Procession. 

The  Sacristan  is  the  one  in  charge  of  the 
Vessels  and  Vestments  used  for  the  Service. 

The  Servers  (or  Acolytes)  are  those  who 
wait  on  the  Priest  at  the  Altar 

The  Thurifer  is  the  Acolyte  who  bears  and 
swings  the  Censer. 

1  For  description  of  Euchartstic  Vestments,  see  page  zi' 


VIII 
THE  CHURCH'S  HERITAGE 

THE  Primitive  Church  observed  all  the 
"  Three  Apostolical  Hours "  of  Prayer. 
Later  these  were  changed  and  enlarged  to 
form  the  "Seven  Canonical  Hours  "  of  Medi- 
aeval times,  which  Services  are  still  said  or 
sung  in  Conventual  and  Monastic  Houses.  At 
the  Anglican  Reformation,  these  ofBces  were 
simplified  and  arranged  to  form  three  regular 
Services,  that  is,  the  Divine  Liturgy  or  Holy 
Eucharist,  and  the  Divine  Offices,  or  Morning 
and  Evening  Prayer,  to  be  said  daily.  These 
Services  contain  the  great  treasures  of  Chris- 
tian worship,  selected  from  the  Sacred  Scrip- 
tures, and  from  the  devotional  writings  of 
antiquity.  They  may  briefly  be  noted  as  fol- 
lows : — 

Agnus  Dei. — This  is  a  Hymn  to  Christ 
in  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  being  the  three 
petitions  from  the  Gloria  in  Excelsis  addressed 
to  Jesus  as  the  Lamb  of  God. 

Benedicite. — This  is  used  in  Lent  and  Ad- 
vent as  an  alternative  for  the  Te  Deum  Lau- 
damus,  and  is  the  ancient  Song  of  the  Three 
Holy  Children,  sung  by  them  when  in  the 
burning  fiery  furnace.  It  tells  of  all  created 
things  praising  the  God  Who  made  them. 

Benedictus. — This   is   the   Song   of  Zacha- 
rias,  in  honour  of  the  Coming  of  Christ.     A 
48 


INSTRUCTIONS  49 

shortened  form  of  the  Benedictus,  that  sung 
at  the  triumphant  entry  of  Christ  into  Jeru- 
salem on  Palm  Sunday,  is  sung  at  the  Holy 
Eucharist  as  a  Song  of  Welcome  to  Jesus 
coming  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament. 

Canon  of  Consecration. — This  is  the  most 
solemn  part  of  the  Communion  Service,  em- 
bracing Our  Lord's  Words  of  Institution  used 
at  the  first  Eucharist,  and  containing  the  neces- 
sary form  for  a  valid  consecration  of  the  ele- 
ments to  become  Christ's  Body  and  Blood. 
The  Canon  is  considered  by  many  to  begin  at 
the  Sursum  Corda,  or  "Lift  up  your  hearts/' 
and  to  include  all  that  follows  up  to  the  Com- 
munion. 

Collects. — These  are  the  short  prayers, 
made  up  of  a  number  of  petitions  collected 
together  and  said  for  the  people  collectively. 
Many  of  the  Collects  are  very  ancient,  and 
as  translated  in  the  Prayer  Book  are  among 
the  most  beautiful  devotions  to  be  found. 

Commandments. — These  are  God's  Ten 
Laws  given  on  Mount  Sinai,  embodying  our 
Duty  towards  God  and  our  Duty  towards  our 
Neighbour. 

Creeds. — There  are  three  forms  of  the 
one  Creed  or  Confession  of  the  Faith  of  the 
Church.  These  forms  are  known  as  the 
Apostles,  so  called  because  probably  that  of 
the  Ancient  Roman  Church,  for  the  most  part 
composed  in  the  first  century,  the  Nicene,  put 
forth  in  the  fourth  century  by  the  Councils 
of  Nicsea  325  and  Constantinople  381,  and  the 
Athanasian,  probably  written  in  France  in  the 


so  THE    PRACTICE    OF   RELIGION 

fifth  century.  These  Creeds  are  exact  declara- 
tions of  the  Scriptural  revelation  of  the 
Christian  Faith. 

Epistles. — These,   as   found   In  the   Prayer 

Book,  are  selections  from  the  writings  of 
SS.  Peter,  Paul,  John,  James,  and  Jude,  and 
such  other  Scriptures  as  may  be  chosen  in 
their  place,  to  be  read  at  the  Altar  Service. 

Gospels. — These  are  the  sacred  records  of 
Our  Lord's  Life  and  Ministerial  Work  and 
Words,  as  related  by  St.  Matthew,  St.  Mark, 
St.  Luke,  and  St.  John,  selections  from  which 
are  solemnly  read  at  the  Communion  Service, 
The  symbols  often  used  for  the  Four  Gospels, 
or  the  figures  of  a  Man,  a  Lion,  an  Ox,  and 
an  Eagle  respectively,  show  forth  the  four 
aspects  of  Our  Lord's  life  as  Man,  as  King, 
as  Priest,  and  as  God,  all  of  which  Jesus 
Christ  was.  Another  symbol  of  the  Gospels 
is  the  picture  of  a  Rock  (signifying  Christ), 
from  which  flow  four  streams  of  water. 

Gloria  in  Excelsis. — This  is  an  expanded 
form  of  the  Angels'  Song  sung  by  them  on 
the  morning  of  the  Nativity. 

Gradual. — This  is  a  short  Anthem  sung  be- 
tween the  Epistle  and  the  Gospel,  according  to 
ancient  custom,  to  add  solemnity.  It  is  gen- 
erally followed  by  the   Sequence  or  Alleluia. 

Hymns  of  the  Incarnation. — These  are  the 
Benedictus,  the  Gloria  in  Excelsis,  the  Magnifi- 
cat, and  the  Nunc  Dimittis,  all  of  which  are 
found  in  St.  Luke's  Gospel,  which  is  often 
called  the  Gospel  of  the  Incarnation.  It  seems 
most  fitting  that  these  New  Testament  Hymns 


INSTRUCTIONS  51 

should  have  their  place  in  the  devotional  ser- 
vices of  the  Church,  associated  as  they  are 
with  Our  Lord's  Nativity. 

Introit. — This  is  a  selection  of  a  few  verses 
of  the  Psalms  sung  at  the  entrance  of  the 
Clergy  into  the   Sanctuary. 

Kyrie  Eleison. — This  is  a  threefold  peti- 
tion to  God  for  mercy :  "  Lord  have  mercy 
upon  us,  Christ  have  mercy  upon  us,  Lord 
have  mercy  upon  us."  These  three  petitions 
addressed  to  different  Persons  of  the  Trinity 
are  sometimes  repeated,  each  one  three  times. 

Litany. — This  is  a  beautiful  series  of  peti- 
tions offered  unto  God,  originally  composed  to 
be  sung  in  Procession  with  great  solemnity. 
The  Litany  is  composed  of  five  parts:  (i)  The 
Invocations,  addressed  to  each  Person  of  the 
Godhead  individually  and  then  collectively; 
(2)  the  Deprecations,  prayers  for  deliverance 
from  various  evils;  (3)  the  Obsecrations,  pleas 
for  mercy  on  account  of  what  Christ  has 
done  for  us;  (4)  the  Intercessions,  prayers  for 
"all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men"  and  (5)  the 
Versicles  and  Prayers. 

Lessons. — These  are  those  selections  from 
the  Bible  which  are  read  at  the  Choir  Offices, 
one  from  the  Old  Testament,  or  Apocrypha, 
one  from  the  New  Testament. 

Magnificat.— This  is  the  Song  of  Praise 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  in  honour  of 
Our  Lord  and  Saviour. 

Nunc  Dimittis. — This  is  the  Song  of  Sim- 
eon as  he  held  Jesus  up  in  his  arms  as  the 
Light  of  the  World. 


52  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

Psalter. — This  includes  the  Psalms  of 
David  and  others.  Both  in  the  Jewish  and 
Christian  Churches  the  Psaker  has  formed 
a  large  portion  of  the  ordinary  praise  of  God. 
The  Psalms  are  full  of  rich  imagery  and  real 
devotion,  and  are  among  the  most  priceless 
treasures  of  the  Church,  portraying  every  spir- 
itual need  and  being  exhaustless  in  their  appli- 
cation. As  St.  Augustine  said :  "  Each  word 
of  the  Psalter  is  spoken  in  the  name  of  Christ 
and  the  Church." 

Sanctus. — This  is  a  form  of  the  Hymn  of 
the  Heavenly  Host,  as  revealed  to  Isaiah  and 
recorded  in  his  writings.  It  takes  its  name 
from  the  singing  of  the  word  Holy  (or 
Sanctus)  three  times  at  the  opening_  of  the 
hymn.  It  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  de- 
votions of  the  Church. 

Te  Deum  Laudamus. — This  is  a  Hymn  of 
Praise  to  God  the  Blessed  Trinity,  and  is  so 
worded  as  to  be  a  sort  of  Creed.  It  is 
often  attributed  to  the  time  when  St.  Am- 
brose, the  Bishop  of  Milan,  baptized  St. 
Augustine,  these  two  ancient  fathers  being  said 
to  have  sung  the  "  Te  Deum  Laudamus " 
extemporaneously  and  antiphonally. 

Of  these  great  Devotions,  the  Command- 
ments, Kyrie,  Collects,  Epistles,  Gospels, 
Creed,  Benedictus  (shortened  form),  Agnus 
Dei,  Sanctus,  Canon,  and  Gloria  in  Excelsis, 
occur  in  the  Holy  Communion  Service,  to- 
gether with  the  Introit  and  Gradual. 


A    WOMAN    CLOTHED    WITH    THE    SUN    AND 
THE     MOON     UNDER     HER    FEET/" 


IX 

THE  CHURCH  KALENDAR 

Advent,  a  penitential  season,  begins  the 
Church  year,  and  commemorates  Christ's 
coming  as  the  Saviour,  as  the  Judge,  and  in 
the  Sacraments.  The  four  Sundays  teach  re- 
spectively Death,  Judgment,  Heaven  and  Hell. 

Christmas  is  the  Festival  of  the  Nativity 
of  Our  Lord,  honouring  the  day  when  the 
Son  of  God  was  born  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary.  Gifts  are  associated  with  this  Festival 
on  account  of  the  offerings  of  the  Wise  Men 
to  the  Infant  Saviour. 

St.  Stephen's  Day,  St.  John  Evangelist's 
Day,  and  Holy  Innocents*  Day,  commem- 
orate those  whose  names  are  given,  and 
show  respectively  the  three  kinds  of  martyrs : 
(i)  in  will  and  deed,  (2)  in  will,  (3)  in 
deed. 

The  Circumcision  of  Christ  is  the  Octave 
of  Christmas,  and  commemorates  Our  Lord 
submitting  to  the  Jewish  ordinance  and  re- 
ceiving the  Holy  Name  Jesus. 

The  Epiphany  is  the  twelfth  day  after 
Christmas,  and  commemorates  Our  Lord's 
manifestation  to  the  Gentiles:  (i)  to  the  Wise 
Men;  (2)  at  the  Marriage  of  Cana ;  (3)  at 
His  Baptism. 

The  Purification  of  St.  Mary  the  Virgin  or 
the    Presentation    of    Christ    in    the    Temple 

53 


54  THB    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

occurs  on  February  2nd  and  commemorates 
the  events  noted  by  the  names  of  the  day.  On 
account  of  the  ancient  custom  of  burning  many 
tapers  in  honour  of  Our  Lord  as  the  Light 
of  the  World,  it  is  often  called  Candlemas 
Day. 

Septuagesima,  Sexagesima,  and  Quinqua- 
gesima  are  the  Sundays  immediately  before 
Ash  Wednesday  and  roughly  note  seventy, 
sixty,  and  fifty  days  before  Easter. 

Shrove  Tuesday  is  the  day  before  Lent,  and 
is  so  named  from  the  ancient  custom  of  the 
faithful  being  confessed  or  "  shriven  "  then. 

Ash  Wednesday  is  the  first  day  of  Lent, 
and  gets  its  name  from  the  custom  of  the 
Priest  signing  with  ashes  the  foreheads  of 
the  faithful  and  reminding  them  of  death  with 
the  words  "  Remember,  O  man,  that  thou  art 
dust  and  to  dust  thou  shalt  return." 

Lent  is  a  penitential  season  of  forty  days,^ 
commemorating  Our  Lord's  Fast  and  Temp- 
tation in  the  wilderness,  and  preparing  us 
for  Easter  by  special  devotions  and  discipline. 

Refreshment  Sunday  is  the  fourth  Sunday 
in  this  season  and  is  so  named  from  the  Gospel 
telling  of  the  feeding  of  the  multitudes. 

Passion  Sunday  is  the  fifth  Sunday,  when 
we  begin  especially  to  picture  Christ's  suffer- 
ings. The  fortnight  following  is  often  called 
Passiontide. 

Palm  Sunday  Is  the  one  before  Easter, 
beginning   Holy    Week,    and    on   this   day    we 

1  Exclusive  of  Sundays. 


INSTRUCTIONS  55 

remember  Our  Lord's  Entrance  into  Jerusalem 
amid  the  strewing  of  Palms  and  the  shouts 
of  "Hosanna." 

Maundy  Th.iO'sday  is  the  Thursday  of  Holy 
Week  kept  in  honour  of  the  Institution  of  the 
Blessed  Sacrament.  It  is  kept  as  a  Festival 
until  after  the  Mass.  It  is  sometimes  known 
as  the  "Day  of  the  Footwashing,"  from  the 
ancient  custom,  still  obtaining  in  some  parts 
of  the  Church,  of  ceremonially  washing  the 
feet  of  certain  persons,  in  honour  of  Our 
Lord's  washing  the  feet  of  His  Disciples.  On 
this  day  the  Altars  are  stripped  and  ceremon- 
ially washed  by  the  Clergy. 

Good  Friday  commemorates  Our  Lord's 
Crucifixion  and  is  the  most  solemn  day  of  the 
year,  when  all  should  specially  think  of  the 
Saviour's  Sacrifice  on  the  Cross. 

Easter  Even,  or  Holy  Saturday,  tells  of 
Our  Lord's  Body  resting  in  the  Sepulchre 
and  of  His  Spirit  preaching  to  the  souls  in 
"prison"  or  the  place  of  departed  spirits. 

Easter  Stinday  is  the  greatest  of  all  Church 
Festivals  and  commemorates  Our  Lord  Rising 
again  from  the  dead.  The  most  splendid 
music  and  ceremonial  are  generally  associated 
with  this  day  of  the  Church's  Triumph.  The 
Monday  and  Tuesday  following  are  also  spe- 
cially observed,  as  are  the  Forty  Days  'before 
Ascension,  this  time  being  called  Eastertide. 

Low  Sunday  is  the  Octave  of  Easter. 

Ascension  Day  is  the  fortieth  day  after 
Easter,  and  tells  of  Our  Lord's  exaltation  of 
His    Glorified    Human    Nature    to    the    Right 


56  THE  PRACTICE  OF   RELIGION 

Hand  of  God.     This  day  is  also  called  Holy 
Thursday. 

Whitsunday,  or  Pentecost,  is  the  fiftieth 
day  after  Easter,  and  commemorates  the  De- 
scent of  the  Holy  Ghost  upon  the  Apostles 
in  the  Upper  Room.  Monday  and  Tuesday 
are  also  specially  observed. 

Trinity  Sunday  is  the  Octave  of  Whitsun- 
day, but  is  kept  in  honour  of  the  Ever  Blessed 
Trinity. 

The  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary  is  March  25th,  and  is  kept  in  honour  of 
the  Incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  of 
Saint  Mary  "The  Mother  of  Our  Lord."  It 
is  often  called  "  Lady  Day,"  after  the  Virgin 
to  whom  on  this  day  the  Angel  announced  the 
blessed  privilege  which  was  hers. 

The  Transfiguration  of  Our  Lord  occurs 
on  August  6th,  and  commemorates  the  revela- 
tion of  His  Glory  on  the  Mount. 

All  Saints*  Day  is  November  ist,  and  is 
kept  in  honour  of  the  Saints  in  glory. 

All  Souls'  Day,  which  follows,  is  observed 
by  intercession  for  the  dear  departed. 

The  Saints*  Days  in  addition  to  those 
already  mentioned  are  the  Festivals  of  St. 
Andrew,  St.  Thomas,  (the  conversion  of)  St. 
Paul,  St.  Matthias,  St.  Mark,  St.  Philip  and 
St.  James,  St.  Barnabas,  St.  John  Baptist, 
St.  Peter,  St.  James,  St.  Bartholomew,  St. 
Matthew,  St.  Michael  and  All  Angels,  St. 
Luke,  St.  Simon,  and  St.  Jude. 


INSTRUCTIONS  57 

Rogation  Days  are  the  Monday,  Tuesday, 
and  Wednesday  before  Ascension,  and  are  days 
of  special  intercession. 

Ember  Days  are  the  Wednesday,  Friday, 
and  Saturday  after  the  First  Sunday  in  Lent, 
after  Whitsunday,  after  September  14th,  and 
after  December  13th,  and  are  kept  as  Fasts. 

Vigils  are  the  Eves  of  Festivals. 

Fridays  are  kept  in  memory  of  Good  Fri- 
day and  the  Crucifixion,  and  are  days  of  Ab- 
stinence. 

Sundays  are  observed  in  honour  of  Easter 
and  the  Resurrection,  and  should  be  devoted 
to  religion  and  rest. 

Corpus  Christi,  the  first  Thursday  after 
Trinity  Sunday  is  also  a  day  often  fittingly 
kept  in  honour  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament. 

Black  Letter  Days  are  those  in  the  Kalendar 
regarded  more  as  times  of  devotion  than  of 
obligation  or   special  rather  than  general. 

Colours^  are  used  by  the  Church  as  follows : 
White  for  Christmas,  Epiphany  (January  6), 
Purification,  Maundy  Thursday  (to  close  of 
Mass),  Easter,  Ascension,  Trinity  Sunday,  An- 
nunciation, Transfiguration,  All  Saints',  St. 
John  Evangelist  and  Corpus  Christi ;  Violet 
for  Advent,  Lent,  Holy  Innocents',  Rogation 
Days  and  Ember  Days ;  Green  for  Epiphany 
and  Trinity  seasons,  excepting  Trinity  Sun- 
day; Red  for  Whitsunday  and  Martyrs; 
Black  for  Good  Friday  and  All  Souls'.  For 
Marriages  White  is  used ;  for  Confirmation 
and  Ordination,  White  or  Red;  for  Baptism, 
Violet  then  White;  for  Burials,  Black. 

*See  page  45. 


CHRISTIAN  DUTIES,  VIRTUES,  ETC. 

The  Three  Theological  Virtues. 

Faith.  Hope.  Charity. 

The  Four  Cardinal  Virtues. 

Prudence.      Justice.     Temperance.      Fortitude. 

The  Christian  Duties. 

Prayer.  Fasting.  Almsgiving. 

The  Ecclesiastical  Duties. 

To  keep  the  Festivals  and  Fasts  of  the 
Church. 

To  observe  the  commands,  customs,  and 
ceremonies  of  the  Church. 

To  attend  public  w^orship  and  receive  the 
Holy  Communion. 

The  Seven  Gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

The  Spirit  of  Wisdom  and   Understanding. 
The  Spirit  of  Counsel  and  Ghostly  Strength. 
The   Spirit  of  Knowledge  and   True  Godli- 
ness, and  the  Spirit  of  Holy  Fear. 

The  Twelve  Fruits  of  the  Spirit. 


Love.                     Gentleness. 
Joy.                        Goodness. 
Peace.                   Truth. 
Longsuffering.    Meekness. 

Patience. 
Modesty. 
Temperance, 
Chastity. 

58 

INSTRUCTIONS 


59 


The  Seven  Spiritual  Works  of  Mercy. 

To  comfort  the  afflict- 
ed. 
To  endure  injury. 
To  forgive  wrong. 
To  pray  for  others. 


To  instruct  the  igno- 
rant. 

To  counsel  the  doubt- 
ful. 

To  correct  offenders. 


The  Seven  Corporal  Works  of  Mercy. 

To  feed  the  hungry.       To  visit  the  sick. 
To  clothe  the  naked.     To  help  prisoners. 
To  shelter  the  stranger.  To  visit  the  widows  and 
To  bury  the  dead.  fatherless. 


The  Seven  Capital 

The  Seven  Godly 

Sins. 

Virtues. 

Pride. 

Humility. 

Anger. 

Forgiveness. 

Covetousness. 

Generosity. 

Lust. 

Purity. 

Envy. 

Love. 

Sloth. 

Diligence. 

Gluttony. 

Temperance. 

Ways  of  Sharing  in  the  Sins  of  Others. 

By  evil   counsel.  By  command.      By  defence 
By  provocation.     By  silence.  By  praise. 

By  concealment.     By  flattery.  By  consent. 

Seven  Stages  of  Sin. 

I.  Suggestion.     2.  Pleasure.     3.  Consent. 
4.  Act.  5.  Habit.  6.  Slavery. 

7.  Spiritual   blindness. 


The 


Three   Dangers  to  the   Soul. 

World.  The    Flesh.  The    Devil 


6o  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION. 

The  Seven  Sacraments. 
Holy  Biaptism.  Holy  Communion 

Holy  Absolution.         Holy  Matrimony. 
Holy  Confirmation.     Holy  Order. 
Holy  Unction. 

Tlie  Four  I^ast  TMngs. 
Death.  Judgment.  Heaven.  Hell. 

Four  Notes  of  tlie  True  Cliurch. 
One.  Holy.  Catholic.  Apostolic. 

Tliree  Tests  of  Oatliolicity. 
Antiquity.         Universality.       General  Consent. 

Holy  Days  of  Obligation  on  wliich  all  Con- 
firmed, persons  sliould  receive  the 
Holy  Communion. 

Christmas.  Easter.  [Whitsunday. 

Other  Times  of  Obligation  or  Devotion. 

Holy  Days.        Saints'  Days.        Sundays. 

Obligation  for  Sunday. 

To  attend  the  Holy  Eucharist  for  Commun- 
ion or  worship,  unless  prevented  by  grave 
cause. 

The    Ten    Commandments,    teaching 
/-        I.  Religion. 

Our  Duty  towards  Goo  iJl;  ^^.^f.^. 

C     IV.  Consecration. 
V.  Love. 
VI.  Discipline. 
Our  Duty  towards  our       J  VII.  Purity. 
Neighbour.  ^VIII.  Honesty. 

IX.  Truth. 
X.  Contentment. 


INSTRUCTIONS  6l 

The    Seven    Penitential    Psalms. 

6,  32,  38,  51,  102,  130,  143. 
Tlie  Gradual  Psalms,  120  to  134. 
The   Psalm   of   the  Saints,    119. 

The  Beatitudes. 

Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit:  for  theirs  is 
the  Kingdom  of  Heaven; 

Blessed  are  they  that  mourn:  for  they  shall 
be  comforted ; 

Blessed  are  the  meek:  for  they  shall  inherit 
the   earth ; 

Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst 
after  righteousness  :  for  they  shall  be  filled , 

Blessed  are  the  merciful :  for  they  shall  ob- 
tain mercy ; 

Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart :  for  they  shall 
see  God ; 

Blessed  are  the  peacemakers :  for  they  shall 
be  called  the  children  of  God ; 

Blessed  are  they  which  are  persecuted  for 
righteousness'  sake :  for  theirs  is  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven ; 

Blessed  are  ye,   when   men   shall   revile  you 
and  persecute  you,   and   shall   say  all    manner 
of  evil  against  you  falsely  for  My  sake. 
The  Marks  of  a  Heal  IR/epentance.  1 

I,  In  the  Heart :  Contrition  ;  H,  in  the  Mouth : 
Confession;   HI,  in  the  Life:   Amendment. 
Form  of  Grace  before  Meals. 

Bless  *h    O  Lord,  these  gifts  to  our  use,  and 
us   to  Thy  service,   for  Jesus   Christ's   sake. 
After  Meals. 

Thanks  *  be  to  Thee,  O  God,  for  all  Thy 
Mercies.    Let  us  go  forth  with  grateful  hearts. 

^  According  to   St.    Chrysostom. 


62  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

When  Marriages  Should  Not  Be 
Solemnized. 

From  Advent  Sunday  until  8  days  after  the 

Epiphany. 
From  Septuagesima  until  8  days  after  Easter, 
From  Rogation  Sunday  until  Trinity  Sunday. 

The   Mysteries   of  the   Incarnation 

or 

The  Five  Joyful  Mysteries: 

The  Annunciation  of  the  B.V.  Mary. 

The  Visitation   of  the   B.V.   Mary. 

The  Birth  of  Our  Blessed  Lord. 

The  Presentation  of  Christ  in  the  Temple. 

The  Finding  of  Christ  in  the  Temple. 

The  Mysteries  of  the   Redemption 

or 

The   Five   Sorrowful  Mysteries: 

The  Bloody   Sweat  in  the   Garden. 
The   Scourging  of   Our  Lord. 
The  Crowning  with  Thorns. 
The  Carrying  the  Cross. 
The  Crucifixion  on  Calvary. 

The  Mysteries  of  the  Resurrection 

or 

The  Five  Glorious  Mysteries: 

The  Resurrection  of  Our  Lord. 
The    Ascension    of    Our    Lord. 
The  Descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
The  Triumph  of  the  Church. 
The  Beatific  Vision. 


INSTRUCTIONS  63 

Some   Types  of  Holy   Communion: 

The  Tree  of  Life  in  the  Garden  of  Eden. 
The  Offering  of  Bread  and  Wine  by  Melchiz- 

edek,    Priest  of  the  Most  High   God. 
The  Manna  in  the   Wilderness,   or  the   Bread 

from  Heaven,  the  Angels'  Food. 
The  Passozrer,   or  the   lamb   sacrificed   by  the 

Israelites    when    the     Angel    of    Death 

smote  the  Egyptians. 
The  Feeding  of  the  Multitude,  when   Christ 

blessed  and  gave  the  Loaves  and  Fishes. 
The  Water  and  the  Blood,  which  flowed  from 

Our  Lord's  Side  on  the  Cross. 

Why  w©  Should  Oome  to  Communion. 

To  obey  Christ's  Command. 

To  show  forth  the  Glory  of  God. 

To  offer  the  Memorial  of  the  Cross. 

To  assist  at  true  worship. 

To  honour  Jesus   Sacramentally   Present. 

For  the  forgiveness  of  sins. 

For  the  increase  of  grace. 

For  the  purification  of  desire. 

For  the  illumination  of  mind. 

For  the  enkindling  of  love. 

For  union  with  God. 

For  the  promise  of  Everlasting  Life. 

Memorial    of   the   Incarnation. 

Hail,  Mary !  Thou  that  art  highly  favoured, 
the  Lord  is  with  thee.  Blessed  art  thou  among 
women.     (St.  Luke  i.  28.) 

IVEemorial  of  the  Redemption. 

O  Saviour  of  the  world,  Who  by  Thy  Cross 
and  Precious  Blood  hast  redeemed  us,  save  us 
and  help  us,  we  humbly  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord. 


64  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION. 

Why  one  Sihould  Sorro'w  for  Sin. 

Because  sin  grieves  and  offends  God. 
Because  sin  is  the  yielding  to  the  Devil. 
Because  sin  brought  the  fall  of  man. 
Because  sin  brought  sorrow  and  suffering. 
Because  sin  caused  the  Death  of  Christ. 
Because  sin  separates  us  from  God. 
Because  sin  crucifies  Jesus  Christ  afresh. 
Because  sin  resists  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Because  sin  ruins  our  characters. 
Because  sin  deadens  the  conscience. 
Because  sin  prevents  the  working  of  Grace. 
Because  sin  imperils  our  immortal  souls. 
Because  "the  wages  of  sin  is  death." 

Why  we  Should  "go  to  Confession.'* 

It  shows  sorrow  for  sin. 
It  expresses  the  need  of  God's  Grace. 
It  strengthens  the  will  and  character. 
It  increases  the  beauty  of  holiness. 
It  brings  peace  to  the  mind  and  soul. 
It  keeps  from  presumption  and  subdues  pride. 
It  seeks  pardon  in  God's  appointed  way. 
It  releases   the  soul   from  the   eternal  penalty 
and  sometimes  from  temporal  punishment. 
It  cleanses  in  the  Blood  of  Jesus  Christ. 
It  restores  to  a  state  of  grace. 
It  fits  the  soul  for  death  and  judgment. 
It  shows  real  Faith,  Love,  and  Repentance. 
It  marks  the  Cross  in  our  lives. 
It  leaves  nothing  undone  to  ensure  pardon. 

"First  give  thyself  to  Goo ;  then  to  the  work 
God  giveth  thee  to  do." 

"Whatsoever   ye   do,   do    all   to   the   Glory 
OF  God/' 


INSTRUCTIONS  65 

Practical  Ways  of  Conquering  the  "Seven 
Deadly  Sins." 

In  General:  The  practice  of  Self-Discipline, 
Self-Denial,  Self-Sacrifice,  Detachment, 
Recollection   of   God's    Presence. 

Pride:  Cultivation  of  Humility  and  Simplic- 
ity; seeking  to  'be  Mieek,  Lowly  and  Hum- 
ble o'f  Heart;  Meditation  upon  Our  Lord. 

Anger:  Practicing  Self-Control ;  silence  for 
a  space  before  speaking;  signing  the 
Cross ;  realizing  the  possibility  of  acts  of 
violence;  praying  for  others  or  self;  ren- 
dering good  for  evil ;  Kindness,  Patience, 
Forbearance,  Forgiveness. 

Covetousness  :  Seeking  to  care  little  ifor 
earthly  things ;  never  hoarding ;  being 
generous  to  man  and  grateful  to  God,  giv- 
ing liberally  to  the  Church  and  all  good 
works,  and  sharing  what  you  have. 

Lust:  Cultivating  Purity  in  thought,  word 
and  deed;  refusing  to  look  at,  speak  of 
or  think  of  evil  or  suggestive  things ; 
avoiding  sources  of  temptation;  regular 
habits;  exercise;  prayer;  fasting;  flight, 
in  special  bodily  temptation;  realizing  the 
awful  consequences  of  lust. 

Envy:  Cultivating  Love,  Magnanimity,  trying 
to  rejoice  in  the  joy  or  success  of  others. 

Sloth  :  Living  by  Rule ;  being  occupied  with 
useful  or  profitable  employment;  doing 
3^our  duties  conscientiously  to  the  best  of 
your  ability  as  in  the  Sight  of  God,  for 
God's  Glory;  taking  proper  Rest  or  Recre- 
ation, but  resisting  idleness  or  laziness 

Gluttony  :  RuHng  your  desires ;  being  tem- 
perate and  moderate ;  fasting  at  times ; 
avoiding  excess ;  taking  less  than  desired. 


66  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION. 

Counsels    for    Communicants. 

I.  Never    receive    the    Holy    Communion 

without  previous  preparation. 
II.  Consult    the    Clergy    if    in    doubt    how 
often  to  receive  the  Communion. 

III.  Always  make  your  Communion  fasting, 

in  order:  (i)  to  honour  Our  Lord; 
(2)  to  increase  devotion;  (3)  to  dis- 
cipline the  !body ;  (4)  to  obey  the  cus- 
tom and  command  of  the  Church. 

IV.  When    preparing    for    Communion    re- 

member the  Presence  of  God,  and  ask 
the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
V.  In  examining  your  conscience,  seek  to 
know  your  sins,  see  if  they  were  done 
zvillingly,  knowingly,  and  deliberately, 
and  be  sure  you  are  really  sorry  and 
wish  to   do   right. 

VI.  Confess  your  sins  to  God,  in  the  Sacra- 
ment of  Penance  before  God's  Priest, 
and  cheerfully  do  your  penances  as 
the  means  of  showing  your  repentance 
and  making  reparation  and  amendment. 
VII.  Love  and  long  for  Our  Lord  in  the 
Blessed  Sacrament,  and  never  fail  to 
adore  Our  Lord  Present  in  the 
Holy  Mysteries. 
VIII.  Look  forward  to  each  Communion  as 
the  greatest  of  earthly  privileges  and 
the  best  preparation  for  life  hereafter. 

IX.  Never  hurry,  either  in  Preparation, 
Thanksgiving,  or  during  the  Service. 
X.  Never  wear  gloves  or  use  a  handker- 
chief when  communicating  and  re- 
member the  veneration  due  to  Our 
Lord's  Body  and  Blood. 


PART  II 
DEVOTIONS 


COME    UNTO    ME,    ALL   YE   THAT    TRAVAIL 

AND    ARE    HEAVY    LADEN,    AND    I 

WILL    GIVE    YOU    REST." 


PREPARATION    FOR   HOLY 
COMMUNION 

Part  I 

(Kneeling  down,  one  may  think  of  the  words,  "  Thou  Cod 
seest  me,"  and  signing  the  Cross,  say:) 

IN  the  Name  *J*  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 

Veni  Creator. 

COME,  Holy  Ghost,  our  souls  inspire, 
And  lighten  with  celestial  fire. 

Thou  the  Anointing  Spirit  art, 

Who  dost  Thy  sevenfold  gifts  impart. 

Thy  Blessed  Unction  from  above 
Is  comfort,  life,  and  fire  of  love. 

Enable  with  perpetual  light 

TJie  dulness  of  our  blinded  sight. 

Anoint  and  cheer  our  soiled   face 
With   the  abundance   of   Thy   grace. 

Keep  far  our  foes,  give  peace  at  home. 
Where  Thou  art  guide  no  ill  can  come. 

Teach  us  to  know  the  Father,  Son, 
And  Thee  of  Both  to  be  but  One. 

That  through  the  ages,  all  along, 
This  may  be  our  endless  song : 

Praise  to  Thine  eternal  merit, 
Father,   Son,  and  Holy  Spirit. 
69 


70  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

LET  the  words  of  my  mouth  and  the  medi- 
'  tation  of  my  heart  be  always  acceptable 
in  Thy  sight,  O  Lord,  my  Strength  and  my 
Redeemer. 

REMEMBER  not,  Lord,  our  offences  nor 
•  the  offences  of  our  forefathers,  neither 
take  Thou  vengeance  of  our  sins.  Spare  us, 
good  Lord,  spare  Thy  people,  whom  Thou 
hast  redeemed  with  Thy  Most  Precious  Blood, 
and  be  not  angry  with  us  for  ever. 

ALMIGHTY  and  Everlasting  God,  Who 
•  hatest  nothing  that  Thou  hast  made  and 
dost  forgive  the  sins  of  all  those  who  are 
penitent ;  Create  and  make  in  us  new  and  con- 
trite hearts,  that  we,  worthily  lamenting  our 
sins  and  acknowledging  our  wretchedness, 
may  obtain  of  Thee,  the  God  of  all  mercy, 
perfect  remission  and  forgiveness  through 
Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

I    WILL   wash    my    hands    in    innocency,    O 
Lord,  and  so  will  I  go  to  Thine  Altar. 

LORD,  have  mercy  upon  us ; 
■'     Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us  ; 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 


O 


UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 


{or  say  the  following:) 

OMOST  Merciful  God  and  Heavenly 
Father,  Who  art  ever  ready  to  receive 
those  who  turn  to  Thee  in  Faith,  Love  and 
Repentance,  look  with  compassion,  we  beseech 


PREPARATION    FOR    COMMUNION  71 

Thee,  upon  us  who  come  to  be  cleansed  in 
the  Precious  Blood  of  Jesus  Christ.  Grant 
us  the  light  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  truly 
repenting  of  our  sins,  earnestly  resolved  to 
lead  a  new  life  and  in  love  and  charity  with 
all  men,  we  may  obtain  Thy  pardon  and  for- 
giveness and  may  receive  to  our  soul's  salva- 
tion the  Precious  Body  and  Blood  of  Jesus 
Christ,  Who  with  Thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
liveth  and  reigneth  ever  one  God,  world  with- 
out end.     Amen. 

(Then  ask  yourself  the  following  questions  and  include  in 
the  confession  the  sins  committed:) 

Questions  for  Self-Examination.* 


Have  I  believed  in  God,  the  Father,  the  Son 

and  the  Holy  Ghost? 
Have  I  put  my  whole  trust  in  God? 
Have  I  believed  all  that  God  teaches  through 

the  Church,  the  Creed  and  the  Scriptures? 
Have   I   kept   from   all   false  doctrine,   heresy 

and  schism? 
Have  I  avoided  places  or  persons  who  might 

have  led  me  into  error  or  sin? 
Have  I  failed  to  love  God  with  all  my  heart 

and  mind  and  soul  and  strength?     Do  I 

love  any  person  or  thing  more  than  God? 

Do  I  grieve  to  offend  God  and  His  love? 
Have  I  tried  to  serve  God  truly,  keeping  His 

Commandments,  and  doing  all  things  for 

His  Honour  and  Glory  as  in  His  Sight? 
Have  I  loved  my  will  more  than  God's  will? 

1  These  are  based  on  our  "  Duty  towards  God  "  and  our 
"  Duty  towards  our  Neighbour." 


72  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

Have  I  kept  my  Baptismal,  Confirmation,  or 
other  vows? 

Have  I  worshipped  God  in  spirit  and  in  truth, 
with  body,  mind,  and  soul? 

Have  I  regularly  gone  to  Church  and  fre- 
quently   received    the    Holy    Communion? 

Have   I   carefully   prepared    for    Communion? 

Have  I  ever  forgotten  Our  Lord's  Presence  in 
the  Blessed  Sacrament  and  failed  to  give 
Him  worship? 

Have  I,  without  grave  cause,  failed  to  be 
present  at  the  Holy  Eucharist  on  Sun- 
days? 

Have  I  omitted  my  Daily  Morning  or  Even- 
ing Prayers,  or  my  Grace  before  meals? 

Have  I  kept  from  unnecessary  work  on  Sun- 
days? 

Have  I  kept  Fridays  by  fasting  or  abstaining 
from  meat? 

Have  I  kept  the  other  Fasts  and  Festivals  as 
best   I  could? 

Have  I  done  any  special  work  for  the  Church 
and  was  my  motive  always  for  God's 
Glory? 

Have  I  honoured  God's  Holy  Name  and 
Word? 

Have   I  remembered  the   Presence  of  God? 

Have  I  ever  sworn,  cursed,  or  blasphemed? 

Have  I  kept  myself  as  the  Temple  of  the 
Holy  Ghost? 

Have  I  been  thankful  for  God's  blessings  and 
used  them  for  His  Glory? 

Have  I  been  resigned  to  God's  will  and  always 
believed  that  God  knows  best? 

Have  I  set  my  heart  on  things  above  and  tried 
to   draw   myself   from  earthly  things? 


PREPARATION    FOR    COMMUNION  73 

Have  I  adored  God,  reverenced  the  Blessed 
Virgin  and  the  Saints,  and  honoured  the 
Clergy  and  all  holy  persons,  holy  places, 
and  holy  things? 

II 

Have  I  tried  to  love  my  neighbour  as  myself? 

Have  I  done  unto  others  as  I  would  that  they 
should  do  unto  me? 

Have  I  honoured  and  obeyed  my  father  and 
mother  and  those  in  authority  over  me? 

Have  I  tried  to  be  faithful,  true,  and  good  as 
father,  mother,  husband,  wife,  son,  daugh- 
ter, brother,  or  sister  (as  my  relationship 
may  be)  ? 

Have  I  tried  to  do  my  duty  in  the  home, 
regarding  family  ties  as  sacred? 

Have  I  failed  to  be  truthful,  kind,  cheerful, 
sympathetic,    and    helpful? 

Have  I  done  my  work  to  the  best  of  my 
ability? 

Have  I  cheerfully  followed  the  counsel  and 
admonition  of  the  Clergy  or  those  over 
me  and  humbly  received  reproofs? 

Have  I  sinned  by  pride,  thinking  too  highly 
of  myself,  and  failing  to  be  meek,  lowly, 
and  humble  of  heart? 

Have  I  been  angry  beyond  or  without  cause? 

Have  I  sworn  at  or  struck  any  one  in  anger? 

Have  I  been  cross,  revengeful,  or  disagreeable? 

Have  I  forgiven  those  who  may  have  hurt 
me  or  owned  my  own  fault  if  wrong? 

Have  I  tried  to  live  in  love  and  charity  with 
all  persons? 

Have  I  been  true  and  just  in  all  my  dealings? 

Have  I  stolen,  cheated,  lied,  or  acted  dishon- 
ourably in  any  way? 


74  THE    PRACTICE   OF    RELIGION. 

Have  I  given  generously  to  the  Church  and 
poor,  one-tenth  when  possible? 

Have  I  ever  coveted  what  was  not  mine? 

Have  I  envied  the  'blessing  of  others  or  re- 
joiced at  any  one's   misfortunes? 

Have  I  been  impure  with  myself  or  with 
others?  Have  I  done  evil  or  improper 
things,  such  as  Wrong  Sexual  Relations, 
Adultery,  Improper  use  of  Marriage? 

Have  I  gone  with  bad  persons  or  to  low 
places?     Have  I  gotten  evil  out  of  good? 

Have  I  told  or  listened  to  wrong  things  or 
been  impure  in  thought  and  word  if  not 
in  deed? 

Have  I  realized  that  Impurity  is  a  Mortal  Sin 
of  the  worst  kind? 

Have  I  borne  malice  or  hatred  in  my  heart? 

Have  I  borne  false  witness  against  others  or 
repeated  slander  or  wrong  gossip,  or  said 
things  that  were  not  kind,  true,  or  neces- 
sary, or  calculated  to  injure  one's  influ- 
ence, reputation,  or  w^ork? 

Have  I  eaten  or  drank  too  much  or  too  often? 

Have  I  indulged  too  much  in  luxury  or  wasted 
my  money  on  foolish  things  ? 

Have  I  practised  self-denial  and  self-disci- 
pline? Have  I  tried  to  develope  strength 
of  character? 

Have  I  tried  always  to  be  contented  in  that 
state  of  life  unto  which  God  calls  me? 

Have  I  been  a  bad  example  to  others? 

Have  I  thought  of  the  awfulness  of  being  in 
IMortal  Sin  and  not  in  a  state  of  Grace? 

Have  I  prepared  for  death  should  it  suddenly 
come  upon  me  ? 

How  specially  have  I  sinned  in  ways  about 
Avhich  I  have  not  already  asked  questions? 


PREPARATION"  FOR  COMMUNION  75 

(/f  going   for  Confession   to  a  Priest  use  the  form 
on  page   190.      Otherwise  proceed  as  follows:) 

Confession  of  Sin, 

ALMIGHTY  and  Miost  Merciful  Father, 
I  acknowledge  and  bewail  my  manifold 
sins  and  wickedness,  which  I  from  time  to 
time  most  grievously  have  committed  in 
thought,  word  and  deed,  by  omission  and 
commission,  through  my  fault,  my  own  fault, 
my  own  most  grievous  fault.  And  especially 
I  confess  unto  Thee  that  I  have  sinned  {here 
name  the  sins  you  can  recollect).  For  these 
and  all  my  other  sins  which  I  cannot  now 
rememlber,  I  am  heartily  sorry  and  firmly 
purpose  amendment,  humbly  beseeching  Thy 
pardon  and  forgiveness,  with  grace  and  space 
to  lead  a  better  life.  O  !  My  God,  have  mercy 
upon  me,  a  sinner.  Forgive  me  all  that  is 
past,  confirm  and  strengthen  me  in  all  good- 
ness and  finally  bring  me  to  Everlasting  Life 
through  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

Or  the  Following. 1 

(Tliis  will  anszuer  for  both  the  Self-Examination  and 
Confession  for  very  young  or  busy  people  who 
either  do  not  use  the  Sacrament  of  Penance  or 
use  it  infrequently.  They  should  omit  or  add  to 
the  following  as  may   be  necessary:) 

ALMIGHTY  God,  I  confess  that  I  have 
sinned  against  Thee  by  thought,  word 
and  deed,  by  omission  and  commission ;  I 
have  not  loved  Thee  as  I  should  nor  tried  to 
live  for  Thine  Honour  and  Glory;  I  have 
not  remembered  Thy  Sacred  Presence  nor 
feared  to  offend  Thee;  I  have  not  followed 
Thy  Holy  Word  or  Commandments  or  kept 
my  Voiws  and   Promises  as  I   should ;   I  have 


j6  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

not  listened  to  the  voice  of  conscience  or 
followed  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Ghost; 
I  have  by  wrong-doing  denied  Thee  in  my  life 
and  Crucified  the  Lord  Jesus  in  my  heart;  I 
have  not  always  been  sorry  for  my  sins  or 
really  tried  to  amend  my  ways ;  I  have  failed 
to  put  my  whole  trust  in  Thee  and  have 
doubted  Thy  Word  and  Promises;  I  have 
not  obeyed  all  the  counsels  and  commands  of 
the  Church  or  read  the  Bible  as  I  should; 
I  have  been  careless  in  my  prayers  and  devo- 
tions and  have  stayed  away  from  Public 
Worship ;  I  have  neglected  the  Holy  Com- 
munion or  have  received  it  without  due  prep- 
aration, love  and  reverence ;  I  have  not 
observed  the  Fasts  and  Festivals  of  the  Church 
as  I  should  or  kept  Sunday  as  the  Lord's 
Day  and  Friday  by  fasting  or  abstinence ;  I 
have  spoken  against  the  Clergy  and  have  not 
always  loved,  honoured  and  obeyed  my  parents 
or  those  in  authority  over  me ;  I  have  not 
loved  my  neighbour  as  myself  or  tried  to 
live  in  charity  with  all  men ;  I  have  been 
proud,  stubborn  and  self-willed  and  have  dis- 
liked counsel,  advice  and  reproof :  I  have  been 
angry  beyond  cause  and  without  cause  and 
have  sometimes  sworn,  lied  and  quarrelled ; 
I  have  been  covetous  and  discontented  and 
have  not  been  resigned  to  Thy  Will ;  I  have 
been  im.pure  in  thought,  word  (and  deed) 
and  have  not  been  watchful  against  the 
temptations  of  the  world,  the  flesh  and  the 
devil;  I  have  been  envious,  jealous  and  fault- 
finding and  have  not  worked  in  the  Church 
as  I  should ;  I  have  given  way  to  sloth  and 
have  failed  to  do  my  duties  to  the  best  of 
my    ability;    I    have    eaten    (and    drank)    too 


PREPARATION    FOR    COMMUNION  77 

much  or  too  often  and  have  been  too  fond 
of  ease  and  pleasure ;  I  have  not  tried  to  deny 
myself  and  have  failed  to  cultivate  self-sacri- 
fice and  self-discipline.  O  have  mercy  upon 
me  a  sinner:  grant  me,  I  beseech  Thee,  true 
faith,  love  and  repentance ;  and  pardon  and 
absolve  me  from  all  my  sins  and  help  me 
lead  a  better  life  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

{Now  say  the  following:) 

Acts  of  Faith,  Love  and  Repentance. 

OMY  God,  I  believe  in  Thee,  I  hope  in 
Thee,  I  love  Thee  and  I  grieve  that  I 
have  so  often  offended  Thee  by  my  sins  and 
I  resolve  henceforth  by  Thy  Grace  and  Mercy 
to  lead  a  better  life. 

Act  of  Faith. 

OLORD  Jesus,  I  believe  that  Thou  art  the 
Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Living  God,  Who 
dost  give  Thyself  to  us  in  the  Blessed  Sacra- 
ment of  Thy  Body  and  Blood  and  in  the  Holy 
Sacrifice  of  the  Altar  dost  plead  Thy  Death 
and  Passion  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world. 
Lord,  I  believe :  help  Thou  my  unbelief. 

Act  of  Hope. 

I  WILL  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the  hills : 
from  whence  cometh  my  help.  My  help 
cometh  even  from  the  Lord  :  Who  hath  made 
heaven  and  earth. 


Act  of  Love. 

MY  God,  I  would  love  Thee  with  all  my 
heart,    with   all    my   mind,    with   all    my 
goul  and  with  all  my  strength. 


o 


78  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 


Act  of  Contrition. 

HAVE  mercy  upon  me,  O  God,  after  Thy 
great  goodness :  according  to  the  muUi- 
tude  of  Thy  mercies  do  away  mine  offences. 
Wash  me  throughly  from  my  wickedness 
and  cleanse  me  from  my  sin,  for  I  acknowl- 
edge my  faults  and  my  sin  is  ever  before  me. 

Act  of  Consecration. 

OMY  God,  I  offer  myself  to  Thee  with  all 
that  I  love  and  all  that  I  have,  to  be 
Thine  forever.  Let  Thy  Holy  Spirit  be  in  my 
mind  that  I  may  think  aright,  in  my  heart  that 
I  may  love  aright,  and  in  my  life  that  I  may 
live  aright  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

Act   of   Humility. 

OLORD,  who  am  I  that  I  should  presume 
to  enter  the  Presence  of  the  King  of 
Kings  !  I  am  not  worthy  that  Thou  shouldst 
come  unto  me,  but  say  the  word  only,  and  I 
shall  be  healed. 

Act  of  Amendment. 

OMY  God,  I  desire  to  amend  my  life  and 
to  live  henceforth  as  is  well  pleasing 
unto  Thee.  Do  Thou,  in  Thy  mercy,  gra^t 
me  Thy  Grace  that  I  may  overcome  all  tempta- 
tions and  persevering  unto  the  end,  may 
obtain  Everlasting  Life  through  the  Merits 
and  Mediation  of  Thine  Only  Begotten  Son, 
Jesus  Christ,  Our  Blessed  Lord  and 
Redeemer. 


preparation  for  communion  79 

Act  of  Devotion  to  Jesus   in   the  Blessed 
Sacrament. 

"  Soul   of   Christ,   sanctify   me : 
Body  of  Christ,  save  me : 
Blood  of  Christ,  refresh  me: 
Water  from  the  side  of  Christ,  wash  me: 
Passion    of   Christ,   strengthen   me: 
O  Good  Jesu,  hear  me : 
Within   Thy  wounds,   hide  me : 
Suffer  me  not  to  be  separated  from  Thee : 
From  the  malicious  enemy  defend  me : 
In  the  hour  of  my  death  call  me. 
And  bid  me  come  to  Thee; 
That  with  Thy  Saints  I  may  praise  Thee 
For  all  eternity.     Amen." 


Part  II 

Antiphon.  O  how  plenteous  is  Thy  goodness, 
O  Lord, 

{Here  may  be  said  one  or  all  of  the  following  Psalms:) 

PsALM  Lxxxiv.     Quam  dilecta! 

OHOW  amiable  are  Thy  dwellings :    Thou 
Lord  of  hosts ! 

2.  My  soul  hath  a  desire  and  longing  to 
enter  into  the  courts  of  the  Lord  :  my  heart 
and  my  flesh  rejoice  in  the  living  God. 

3.  Yea,  the  sparrow  hath  found  her  an 
house,  and  the  swallow  a  nest,  where  she  may 
lay  her  young:  even  Thy  Altars,  O  Lord  of 
hosts,  my  King  and  my  God, 

4.  Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  Thy  house : 
they  will  be  alway  praising  Thee, 


8o  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

5.  Blessed  is  the  man  whose  strength  is  in 
Thee :  in  whose  heart  are  Thy  ways. 

6.  Who  going  through  the  vale  of  misery 
use  it  for  a  well :  and  the  pools  are  filled  with 
water. 

7.  They  will  go  from  strength  to  strength : 
and  unto  the  God  of  gods  appeareth  every 
one  of  them  in  Sion. 

8.  O  Lord  God  of  hosts,  hear  my  prayer: 
hearken,  O  God  of  Jacob. 

9.  Behold,  O  God  our  defender :  and  look 
upon  the  face  of  Thine  Anointed. 

10.  For  one  day  in  Thy  courts :  is  better 
than  a  thousand. 

11.  I  had  rather  be  a  door-keeper  in  the 
house  of  my  God  :  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents 
of  ungodliness. 

12.  For  the  Lord  God  is  a  light  and  defence : 
the  Lord  will  give  grace  and  worship,  and  no 
good  thing  shall  He  withhold  from  them  that 
live  a  godly  life. 

13.  O  Lord  God  of  hosts:  blessed  is  the  man 
that  putteth  his  trust  in  Thee. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Psalm  lxxxv.     Benedixisti,  Domine. 

LORD,  Thou  art  become  gracious  unto  Thy 
-/     land:   Thou  hast  turned  away   the   cap- 
tivity of  Jacob. 

2.  Thou  hast  forgiven  the  offence  of  Thy 
people :  and  covered  all  their  sins. 

3.  Thou  hast  taken  away  all  Thy  displeasure : 
and  turned  Thyself  from  Thy  wrathful  indig- 
nation. 

4.  Turn  us  then,  O  God  our  Saviour:  and 
let  Thine  anger  cease  from  us. 


PREPARATION    FOR    COMMUNION  8l 

5.  Wilt  Thou  be  displeased  at  us  for  ever : 
and  wilt  Thou  stretch  out  Thy  wrath  from 
one  generation  to  another? 

6.  Wilt  Thou  not  turn  again  and  quicken 
us:  that  Thy  people  may  rejoice  in  Thee? 

7.  Show  us  Thy  mercy,  O  Lord:  and  grant 
us  Thy  salvation. 

8.  I  will  hearken  what  the  Lord  God  will 
say  concerning  me :  for  He  shall  speak  peace 
unto  His  people,  and  to  His  saints,  that  they 
turn  not  again. 

9.  For  His  salvation  is  nigh  them  that  fear 
Him :  that  glory  may  dwell  in  our  land. 

10.  Mercy  and  truth  are  met  together :  right- 
eousness and  peace  have  kissed  f.:ch  other. 

11.  Truth  shall  flourish  out  of  the  earth: 
and  righteousness  hath  looked  dovv'n  from 
heaven. 

12.  Yea,  the  Lord  shall  show  loving-kind- 
ness: and  our  land  shall  give  her  increase. 

13.  Righteousness  shall  go  before  Him :  and 
He  shall  direct  his  going  in  the  way. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Psalm   lxxxvi.     Inclina,  Domine. 

BOW  down   Thine   ear,  O   Lord,   and   hear 
me :  for  I  am  poor,  and  in  misery. 

2.  Preserve  Thou  my  soul,  for  I  am  holy : 
my  God,  save  Thy  servant  that  putteth  his 
trust  in  Thee. 

3.  Be  merciful  unto  me,  O  Lord  :  for  I  will 
call  daily  upon  Thee. 

4.  Comfort  the  soul  of  Thy  servant :  for 
unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul. 

5.  For  Thou,  Lord,  art  good  and  gracious: 
and  of  great  mercy  unto  all  them  that  call 
upon  Thee. 

6 


82  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

6.  Give  ear,  Lx)rd,  unto  my  prayer :  and 
ponder  the  voice  of  my  humble  desires. 

7.  In  the  time  of  my  trouble  I  will  call  upon 
Thee :  for  Thou  hearest  me. 

8.  Among  the  gods  there  is  none  like  unto 
Thee,  O  Lord  :  there  is  not  one  that  can  do  as 
Thou  doest. 

9.  All  nations  whom  Thou  hast  made  shall 
come  and  worship  Thee,  O  Lord  :  and  shall 
glorify  Thy  Name. 

10.  For  Thou  art  great,  and  doest  wondfous 
things :  Thou  art  God  alone. 

11.  Teach  me  Thy  way,  O  Lord,  and  I  will 
walk  in  Thy  truth :  O  knit  my  heart  unto 
Thee,  that  T  may  fear  Thy  Name. 

12.  I  will  thank  Thee,  O  Lord  my  God,  with 
all  my  heart:  and  will  praise  Thy  Name  for 
evermore. 

13.  For  great  is  Thy  mercy  toward  me : 
and  Thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  the 
nethermost  hell. 

14.  O  God,  the  proud  are  risen  against  me : 
and  the  congregations  of  naughty  men  have 
sought  after  my  soul,  and  have  not  set  Thee 
before  their  eyes. 

15.  But  Thou,  O  Lord  God,  art  full  of  com- 
passion and  mercy :  long-suffering,  plenteous 
in  goodness  and  truth. 

16.  O  turn  Thee  then  unto  me,  and  have 
mercy  upon  me :  give  Thy  strength  unto  Thy 
servant,  and  help  the  son  of  Thine  handmaid. 

17.  Show  some  token  upon  me  for  good; 
that  they  who  hate  me  may  see  it,  and  be 
ashamed :  because  Thou,  Lord,  hast  holpen 
me,  and  comforted  me. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 


PREPARATION    FOR    COMMUNION  83 

{Those  who  wish  might  add  or  substitute  Psalms    15,  23, 
24.  26,  27,  42,  107  or  130.) 

Antiphon :  O  how  plenteous  is  Thy  Good- 
ness, O  Lord,  which  Thou  hast  prepared  for 
those  that  put  their  trust  in  Thee. 


LORD,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
■^     Christ,  have  liter cy  upon  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 


OUR  Father,  Who  art  in  heaven.  Hal- 
lowed be  Thy  Name.  Thy  kingdom 
come.  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  As  it  is  in 
heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread. 
And  forgive  us  our  trespasses,  As  we  forgive 
those  who  trespass  against  us.  And  lead  us 
not  into  temptation ;  but  deliver  us  from  evil. 
Amen. 

I  said,  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me, 

Heal   my   soul^    for   I   have   sinned   against 
Thee. 
Turn  Thee  again,  O  Lord,  at  the  last. 

And  be  gracious  unto  Thy  servants. 
O  Lord,  let  Thy  mercy  be  showed  upon  us. 

As  we  do  put  our  trust  in  Thee. 
Let  Thy  priests  be  clothed  with  righteousness. 

And   Thy  saints  sing  zvith  joyfulncss. 
Lord,  cleanse  Thou  me  from  my  secret  faults. 

Keep   Thy  servant  also  from  presumptuous 
sins. 
O  Lord,  hear  my  prayer. 

And  let  my  cry  come  unto  Thee. 
The  Lord  be  with  you. 

And  with  thy  spirit. 


84  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

MOST  gracious  God,  incline  Thy  merciful 
ears  to  our  prayers,  and  enlighten  our 
hearts  by  the  grace  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  that 
we  may  worthily  approach  Thy  Holy  Mys- 
teries, and  love  Thee  with  an  everlasting  love. 

OLORD,  we  beseech  Thee,  may  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  be  with  us,  and  both 
mercifully  cleanse  our  hearts  and  defend  us 
from  all  adversities. 

CLEANSE  our  consciences,  we  beseech 
Thee,  O  Lord,  by  Thy  visitation,  that 
Thy  Son,  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  when  He 
cometh,  may  find  in  us  a  mansion  prepared  for 
Himself ;  through  Him,  Who  liveth  and  reign- 
eth  with  Thee,  in  the  Unity  of  the  same 
Spirit,  ever  One  God,  world  without  end. 
Amen. 

1IKE  as  the  hart  desireth  the  water  brooks  : 
•^     so  longeth  my  soul  after  Thee,  O  God. 

(For  additional  devotions  or  penitential  exercises  see  Parts 
IV.,  v.,  and  VI.  further  on.) 


"is  it  nothing  to  you,  all  ye 
who  pass  by?" 


II 

THE  HOLY  COMMUNION 

(/<  is  helpful  to  be  in  Church  a  few  minutes  before  the  Ser^ 
vice,  and  after  reverencing  the  Altar  and  signing  the 
Cross  to  say  the  following:) 

Before  the  Service. 

IN  the  Name  »i*  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 
Antiphon:  I  will  go  unto  the  Altar  of  God. 

Psalm  xliil    Judica  me,  Dens. 

GIVE  sentence  with  me,  O  God,  and  defend 
my  cause  against  the  ungodly  people ; 
O  deliver  me  from  the  deceitful  and  wicked 
man. 

2.  For  Thou  art  the  God  of  my  strength, 
why  hast  Thou  put  me  from  Thee  ?  and  why 
go  I  so  heavily,  while  the  enemy  oppresseth 
me? 

3.  O  send  out  Thy  light  and  Thy  truth,  that 
they  may  lead  me,  and  bring  me  unto  Thy 
holy  hill,  and  to  Thy  dwelling; 

4.  And  that  I  may  go  unto  the  Altar  of 
God,  even  unto  the  God  of  my  joy  and  glad- 
ness, and  upon  the  harp  will  I  give  thanks 
unto  Thee,  O  God,  my  God. 

5.  Why  art  thou  so  heavy,  O  my  soul?  and 
why  art   thou   so  disquieted  within  me? 

6.  O  put  thy  trust  in  God,  for  I  will  yet 
give  Him  thanks,  which  is  the  help  of  my 
countenance,  and  my  God. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 


86  THE    PRACTICE    OF   RELIGION 

Antiphon:     I  will  go  unto  the  Altar  of  God, 
even  unto  the  God  of  my  joy  and  gladness. 

MAKE  me  a  clean  heart,  O  Lord,  and 
renew  a  right  spirit  within  me.  O 
grant  me  worthily  to  receive  these  Holy  Mys- 
teries and  to  love  Thee  v/ith  an  everlasting 
love. 

OMOST  Merciful  Father,  we  humbly 
approach  Thine  Altar  to  offer  and  re- 
present unto  Thee  the  One,  Pure,  and  Holy 
Sacrifice  which  Our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ  made  once  upon  the  Cross  and  now 
ever  pleads  for  us  in  Heaven  and  which  He 
hath  commanded  us  to  show  forth  here  on 
earth  in  this  Memorial  of  His  Death  and 
Passion.  Grant  that  this  Offering  may  be  ac- 
ceptable at  our  hands,  we  beseech  Thee,  O 
God,  and  see  us  not  as  we  are  in  ourselves 
but  as  we  are  in  union  with  Our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.  We  offer  this  Holy  Eucharist  unto 
Thee  first  for  Thine  Honour  and  Glory  as  the 
only  Perfect  Sacrifice  which  we  can  offer 
unto  Thee.  We  also  offer  it  in  Thanks- 
giving for  all  Thy  Blessings  {especially  .  .  .*), 
for  the  forgiveness  of  all  our  sins  (.  .  .*),  for 
the  increase  of  all  graces  and  virtues  (.  .  .^), 
for  Thy  Holy  Church,  for  our  Parish  and  for 
the  Clergy  (.  .  .'),  for  those  near  and  dear  to 
us  (.  .  }),  for  the  sick  (.  .  .  ^),  for  the  faith- 
ful departed  (.  .  .^),  and  with  all  other  holy 
intentions  which  Thou  wouldst  have  us  make. 
All  of  which  we  ask  through  the  Merits  and 
Mediation  of  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord  and 
Redeemer.     Amen. 

*  Here  name  your  special  petition. 


THE    HOLY   COMMUNION  87 

THE   SERVICE 

{To  save  space  the  Rubrics  are  omitted  and  some  por- 
tions of  the  Service  are  only  mentioned  by  head- 
ings, as  all  persons  are  presumed  to  have  Prayer 
Books.) 

(The  Introit.) 

{At  a  Choral  Celebration  a  few  verses  from  the  Psalms 
are  sung  as  an  Introit,  zvhen  the  Priest  enters  the 
Sanctuary.) 

The  Lord's   Prayer. 

(Here  said   by  Priest  only.) 

/^QR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 

Collect  for  Purity. 
A  LAHGHTY  God,  unto  Whom  all  hearts 
are  open,  all  desires  known,  and  from 
Whom  no  secrets  are  hid ;  Cleanse  the 
thoughts  of  our  hearts  by  the  inspiration  of 
Thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  we  may  perfectly  love 
Thee,  and  worthily  magnify  Thy  holy  Name; 
through  Christ  Our  Lx)Rd.    Amen. 

The  Commandments  and  Responses. 

Or   the   Short   Summary   of   the   Law. 

The  "Kyrie.^^ 

{These  petitions,  originally  in  Greek,  are  to  be  said  or 
sung  by  the  Priest  and  People  alternately.) 

Lord,    have    mercy    upon    us. 

Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,    have    mercy    upon    us. 

'Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 

'Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,    have    m^ercy    upon    us. 

Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,    have    mercy    upon    us. 


65  THE    PRACTICE   OF   RELIGION 

Let  us  pray. 
ry  ALMIGHTY  Lord,  and  everlasting  God, 
vouchsafe,  we  beseech  Thee,  to  direct, 
sanctify,  and  govern,  both  our  hearts  and 
bodies,  in  the  ways  of  Thy  laws,  and  in  the 
works  of  Thy  commandments;  that,  through 
Thy  most  mighty  protection,  both  here  and 
ever,  we  may  be  preserved  in  body  and  soul ; 
through  Our  Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 

(Now  turn  to  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  at  the 
proper  place,  or  else  listen  attentively  to  the  Col- 
lect, the  Epistle  and  the  Gospel.) 

The  Collect  for  the  Day. 
The  Epistle. 

(At  a  Choral  Service  there  now  generally  follow  a 
few  verses  from  the  Psalms  arranged  to  form 
what  is  called) 

The  Gradual. 

(Here   stand    and    face    the    Gospel    and   as   it    is   an- 
nounced  sign   with    tlie    thumb    the    Cross   on    the 
forehead  ►$«  the    mouth  ►^    and    the   breast  ►$« 
and  say    the   following:) 

Glory  be  to  Thee,  O  God. 

The  Gospel. 

(After  the  Gospel  say:) 

Thanks  be  to  Thee,  O  Christ. 
The  Creed. 
T   BELIEVE   in    One   God,   the    Father   Al- 
mighty, Maker  of  heaven  and  earth,  And 
of  all  things  visible  and  invisible.    And  in  One 


THE   HOLY  COMMUNION.  89 

Lord  Jesus  Christ  (here  bow  or  courtesy  in 
honour  of  the  Holy  Name),  the  Only-begotten 
Son  of  God,  Begotten  of  His  Father  before 
all  worlds,  God  of  God,  Light  of  Light,  Very 
God  of  Very  God,  Begotten,  not  made,  Being 
of  one  Substance  with  the  Father,  by  Whom 
all  things  were  made :  Who  for  us  men,  and 
for  our  salvation,  came  down  from  heaven 
{here  kneel  in  honour  of  Our  Lord's  Incar- 
nation, in  reverence  to  Him  Who  humbled 
Himself  to  become  Man),  And  was  incarnate 
BY  THE  Holy  Ghost  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
And  was  made  Man,  And  was  crucified  also 
for  us  under  Pontius  Pilate.  He  suffered  and 
was  buried,  And  the  third  day  He  rose  again 
according  to  the  Scriptures:  And  ascended 
into  heaven,  And  sitteth  on  the  Right  Hand 
of  the  Father.  And  He  shall  come  again 
with  glory  to  judge  both  the  quick  and  the 
dead:    Whose  kingdom  shall  have  no  end. 

And  I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  The  Lord 
and  Giver  of  Life,  Who  proceedeth  from  the 
Father  and  the  Son,  Who  with  the  Father 
and  the  Son  together  is  worshipped  {here  bow 
to  shozj  your  worship)  and  glorified:  Who 
spake  by  the  Prophets.  And  I  believe  one 
Catholic  and  Apostolic  Church.  I  acknowl- 
edge one  Baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins, 
And  I  look  for  the  Resurrection  of  the  dead, 
And  the  Life  of  the  world  to  come  {here  sign 


90  THE    PRACTICE   OF    RELIGION 

the  Cross,  to  bless  the  body  for  the  Resurrec- 
tion Day).    Amen. 

The  Sermon. 

(If   there  is   to   he  a  Sertnon   it   now   follows,    except 
at  a  Requiem.) 

Offertory  Sentences. 
Presentation    of    Alms    and   Oblations. 

{At    the   Presentation   of   Alms   and    Oblations   say    si- 
lently.) 

A  LL  things  conue  of  Thee,  O  Lord,  and  of 
■^^  Thine  Own  have  we  given  Thee.  May 
our  Alms  be  acceptable  unto  Thee,  and  may 
our  Oiblations  by  Thy  Word  and  Holy  Spirit 
become  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ. 

The  Prayer  for  the  Church. 
A  LMIGHTY  and  Everliving  God,  Who  by 
Thy  Holy  Apostle  has  taught  us  to 
make  prayers,  and  supplications,  and  to  give 
thanks  for  all  men;  We  humbly  beseech  Thee 
most  mercifully  [to  accept  our  alms  and  obla- 
tions, and]  to  receive  these  our  prayers,  which 
we  ofifer  unto  Thy  Divine  Majesty;  beseech- 
ing Thee  to  inspire  continually  the  Universal 
Church  with  the  spirit  of  truth,  unity,  and 
concord :  And  grant  that  all  those  who  do 
confess  Thy  Holy  Name  may  agree  in  the 
truth  of  Thy  Holy  Word,  and  live  in  unity 
and  godly  love.  We  beseech  Thee  also,  so  to 
direct  and  dispose  the  hearts  of  all  Christian 
Rulers,  that  they  may  truly  and  impartially 
administer     justice,     to     the     punishment     of 


THE    HOLY    COMMUNION  9I 

wickedness  and  vice,  and  to  the  maintenance 
of  Thy  true  rehgion,  and  virtue.  Give  grace, 
O  heavenly  Father,  to  all  Bishops  and  other 
Ministers,  that  they  may,  both  by  their  life 
and  doctrine,  set  forth  Thy  true  and  lively 
Word,  and  rightly  and  duly  administer  Thy 
Holy  Sacraments.  And  to  all  Thy  People 
give  Thy  heavenly  grace ;  and  especially  to 
this  congregation  here  present;  that,  with 
meek  heart  and  due  reverence,  they  may  hear, 
and  receive  Thy  Holy  Word;  truly  serving 
Thee  in  holiness  and  righteousness  all  the  days 
of  their  life.  And  we  most  humbly  beseech 
Thee,  of  Thy  goodness,  O  Lord,  to  comfort 
and  succour  all  those  who,  in  this  transitory 
life,  are  in  trouble,  sorrow,  need,  sickness,  or 
any  other  adversity.  And  we  also  bless  Thy 
Holy  Name  for  all  Thy  servants  departed  this 
life  in  Thy  faith  and  fear;  beseeching  Thee 
to  give  us  grace  so  to  follow  their  good 
examples,  that  with  them  we  may  be  par- 
takers of  Thy  heavenly  kingdom.  Grant  this, 
O  Father,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  our  only 
Mediator   and   Advocate.     Amen. 

Short   Exhortation. 

"VT'E  who  do  truly  and  earnestly  repent  you 

of  your  sins,  and  are  in  love  and  charity 

with   your   neighbours,   and   intend   to   lead   a 

nevr    life,    following    the    commandments    of 


92  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

God,  and  walking  from  henceforth  in  His  holy 
ways;  Draw  near  with  faith,  and  take  this 
holy  Sacrament  to  your  comfort ;  and  make 
your  humble  confession  to  Almighty  God, 
devoutly  kneeling. 

The  General  Confession. 
ALMIGHTY  God,  Father  of  Our  Lord 
•^  Jesus  Christ,  Maker  of  all  things, 
Judge  of  all  men ;  We  acknowledge  and  bewail 
our  manifold  sins  and  wickedness.  Which  we, 
from  time  to  time,  most  grievously  have 
committed.  By  thought,  word,  and  deed, 
Against  Thy  Divine  Majesty,  Provoking  most 
justly  Thy  wrath  and  indignation  against  us. 
We  do  earnestly  repent.  And  are  heartily 
sorry  for  these  our  misdoings;  The  remem- 
brance of  them  is  grievous  unto  us;  The 
burden  of  them  is  intolerable.  Have  mercy 
upon  us.  Have  mercy  upon  us,  most  merciful 
Father;  For  Thy  Son  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ's  sake,  Forgive  us  all  that  is  past; 
And  grant  that  we  may  ever  hereafter  Serve 
and  please  Thee  In  newness  of  life.  To  the 
honour  and  glory  of  Thy  Name;  Through 
Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

The  Absolution. 

ALMIGHTY    God,    our    heavenly    Father, 

"^     Who  of  His  great  mercy  hath  promised 

forgiveness    of    sins    to    all    those    who    with 


THE    HOLY    COMMUNION  93 

hearty  repentance  and  true  faith  turn  unto 
Him;  Have  mercy  upon  you;  pardon  (*i*  here 
may  be  signed  the  Cross,  in  remembrance  of 
Our  Lord's  Death,  by  which  man's  pardon 
was  accomplished)  and  dehver  you  from  all 
your  sins ;  confirm  and  strengthen  you  in  all 
goodness;  and  bring  you  to  everlasting  life; 
through  Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord.    Amen. 

The  Comfortable  Words. 
Hear  what  comfortable  words  Our  Saviour 
Christ  saith  unto  all  who  truly  turn  to  Him. 

/^OME  unto  Me,  all  ye  that  travail  and  are 
^^  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  refresh  you. — 
St.  Matthew  xi.  28. 

So  God  loved  the  world,  that  He  gave  His 
Only-begotten  Son,  to  the  end  that  all  that 
believe  in  Him  should  not  perish,  but  have 
everlasting  life. — St.  John  iii.  16. 

Hear  also  what  Saint  Paul  saith. 

This  is  a  true  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  men 
to  be  received.  That  Christ  Jesus  came  into 
the  world  to  save  sinners. — i  Timothy  i.  15. 

Hear  also  what  Saint  John  saith. 

If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  Advocate  with 
the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  Righteous ;  and 
He  is  the  Propitiation  for  our  sins. — i  St. 
John  ii.  1-2. 


94  the  practice  of  religion 

The   Sursum    Corda. 
Lift  up  your  hearts. 

We  lift  them  up  unto  the  Lord. 
Let  us  give  thanks  unto  our  Lord  God. 

It  is  meet  and  right  so  to  do. 

The  Preface. 

TT  is  very  meet,  right,  and  our  bounden  duty 
that   we    should   at   all   times   and   in   all 
places  give  thanks  unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  Holy 
Father,  Almighty,  Everlasting  God. 

{Here  follows,  if  there  is  one,  the  Proper  Preface,  as  set 
forth  in  the  Prayer  Book.) 

'T^HEREFORE  with  Angels  and  Archangels, 
■*•      and    with    all    the    company    of    heaven, 
we    laud   and    magnify   Thy   glorious    Name; 
evermore  praising  Thee,  and  saying, 

(Here  should  be  shown  great  devotion,  as  with  the  Heavenly 
Host  we  adore  God.) 

The  Sanctus. 
TTOLY,  HOLY,  HOLY,  Lord  God  of  Hosts, 
■*•  "*■     Heaven  and  earth  are  full  of  Thy  glory : 
Glory  be  to  Thee,  O  Lord  Most  High.    Amen. 

Prayer  of  Humble  Access. 

WE  do  not  presume  to  come  to  this  Thy 
Table,  O  merciful  Lord,  trusting  in 
our  own  righteousness,  but  in  Thy  manifold 
and  great   mercies.     We   are  not   worthy   so 


THE  HOLY   COMMUNION  95 

much  as  to  gather  up  the  crumbs  under  Thy 
Table.  But  Thou  art  the  same  Lord,  Whose 
property  is  always  to  have  mercy :  Grant  us 
therefore,  gracious  Lord,  so  to  eat  the  Flesh 
of  Thy  dear  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  drink 
His  Blood,  that  our  sinful  bodies  may  be 
made  clean  by  His  Body,  and  our  souls 
washed  through  His  most  precious  Blood,  and 
that  we  may  evermore  dwell  in  Him  and  He 
in  us.     Amen. 

(If  time  permits  say  silently  with  great  devotion:) 

LET  all  mortal  flesh  keep  silence  and  stand 
-'  with  fear  and  reverence  and  drive  away 
all  earthly  thought,  for  the  King  of  Kings  and 
Lord  of  Lords,  Christ,  Our  God  cometh  to 
be  given  for  Food  for  the  Faithful,  before 
Whose  Presence  all  Choirs  of  Angels,  with 
all  the  Heavenly  Host,  veil  their  faces  as  they 
sing  their  praises  to  the  Lord  Most  High. 
Alleluia!    Alleluia!    Alleluia!' 

{Then  say,  or  join  with  the  Choir  in  singing:) 

The  Benedictus. 

Blessed  is  He  that  cometh  in  the  Name  of 
the  Lord.     Hosanna  in  the  Highest. 

The  Canon  of  Consecration. 

A  LL  Glory  be  to  Thee,  Almighty  God,  Our 

"^^     Lleavenly  Father,  for  that  Thou  of  Thy 

tender  mercy  didst  give  Thine  only  Son  Jesus 

Christ  to  suffer  death  upon  the  Cross  for  our 

1  Adapted  from  the  Liturgy  of  St.  James. 


96  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

Redemption;  Who  made  there  (by  His  one 
Oblation  of  Himself  once  offered)  a  full,  per- 
fect, and  sufficient  Sacrifice,  Oblation,  and 
Satisfaction,  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world; 
and  did  institute,  and  in  His  Holy  Gospel 
command  us  to  continue,  a  perpetual  Memory 
of  that  His  precious  Death  and  Sacrifice,  until 
His   coming  again. 

{During  the  words  of  Consecration  which  follow,  it  is  fitting 
to  bend  over  in  adoration  of  Jesus  Christ,  Who  comes 
to  be  Sacramentally  Present.) 

rpOR     IN     THE     NIGHT     IN     WHICH     He     WAS 

BETRAYED,    He    TOOK    BrEAD  ;    AND    WHEN 

He    HAD    GIVEN    THANKS,    He    BRAKE    IT,    AND 

GAVE   IT   TO    His    disciples,    SAYING,    TaKE,    EAT, 

THIS  IS  My  Body,  which  is  given  for  you; 
do  this  in  Remembrance  of  Me. 
Likewise  after  supper  He  took  the  Cup; 

AND,      WHEN      He     had     GIVEN      THANKS,      He 

gave  it  to  them,  saying.  Drink  ye  all  of 
this,  for  this  is  My  Blood  of  the  New 
Testament,  which  is  shed  for  you  and  for 
many,  for  the  Remission  of  sins;  do  this 
AS  oft  as  ye  shall  drink  it  in  Remembrance 
of  Me. 

\X7'HEREF0RE,     O    Lord    and     heavenly 

'  ^        Father,   according  to  the  Institution 

of    Thy    dearly    beloved    Son    Our    Saviour 

Jesus   Christ,  we,  Thy  humble  servants,  do 


THE    HOLY    COMMUNION  97 

celebrate  and  make  here  before  Thy  Divine 
Majesty,  with  these  Thy  Holy  Gifts,  which 
we  now  offer  unto  Thee,  the  Memorial  Thy 
Son  hath  commanded  us  to  make;  having  in 
remembrance  His  Blessed  Passion  and 
Precious  Death,  His  Mighty  Resurrection  and 
Glorious  Ascension;  rendering  unto  Thee 
most  hearty  thanks  for  the  innumerable  bene- 
fits procured  unto  us  by  the  same. 

AND  we  most  humbly  beseech  Thee,  O 
•^^  merciful  Father,  to  hear  us;  and  of 
Thy  Almighty  goodness,  vouchsafe  to  bless 
and  sanctify,  with  Thy  Word  and  Holy  Spirit, 
these  Thy  gifts  and  creatures  of  Bread  and 
Wine;  that  we,  receiving  them  according  to 
Thy  Son  Our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ's  Holy 
Institution,  in  remembrance  of  His  Death  and 
Passion,  may  be  partakers  of  His  most  blessed 
Body  and  Blood. 

AND  we  earnestly  desire  Thy  Fatherly 
"^^  goodness,  mercifully  to  accept  this  our 
Sacrifice  of  Praise  and  Thanksgiving;  most 
humbly  beseeching  Thee  to  grant,  that  by  the 
Merits  and  Death  of  Thy  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
and  through  faith  in  His  Blood,  we,  and  all 
Thy  whole  Church,  may  obtain  remission  of 
our  sins,  and  all  other  benefits  of  His  Passion. 
And  here  we  offer  and  present  unto  Thee,  O 
7 


9o  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

Lord,  ourselves,  our  souls  and  bodies,  to  be  a 
reasonable,  holy,  and  living  sacrifice  unto 
Thee;  humbly  beseeching  Thee,  that  we  and 
all  others  who  shall  be  partakers  of  this  Holy 
Communion,  may  worthily  receive  the  most 
precious  Body  and  Blood  of  Thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  be  filled  with  Thy  grace  and  heavenly 
benediction,  and  made  one  body  with  Him, 
that  He  may  dwell  in  us  and  we  in  Him. 
And  although  we  are  unworthy,  through  our 
manifold  sins,  to  offer  unto  Thee  any  Sacri- 
fice, yet  we  beseech  Thee  to  accept  this  our 
bounden  duty  and  service;  not  weighing  our 
merits,  but  pardoning  our  offences,  through 
Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord;  by  Whom,  and  with 
Whom,  in  the  unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  all 
honour  and  glory  be  unto  Thee,  O  Father 
Almighty,  world  without  end.     Amen. 

(As  the  Priest  turns  with  the  Sacrament  to  the  people,  it  is 
customary  to  sign  the  Cross.) 

{Here  at  a  Choral  Celebration  is  Sung  the  hymn  called:) 

Agnus    Dei. 

r\  LAMB  of  God,  that  takest  away  the  sins 
^^     of  the  world :    Have  mercy  upon  us : 

LAMB  of  God,  that  takest  away  the  sins 
of  the  world:    Have  mercy  upon  us: 

LAMB  of  God,  that  takest  away  the  sins 
of  the  world :    Grant  us  Thy  peace. 

iHere  may  be  said  the  following,  or  some  of  the  Devotions 
in  Part  IV  or  Part  V.) 


o 
o 


THE   HOLY   COMMUNION  99 

r\  SAVIOUR  of  the  world,  Who  by  Thy 
^^  Cross  and  Precious  Blood  hast  redeem- 
ed us,  save  us  and  help  us,  we  humbly  beseech 
Thee,  O  Lord,  And  grant  that  we  may  re- 
ceive these  Holy  Gifts  to  our  soul's  Salvation 
and  to  Thine  Honour  and  Glory. 

(If  you  are  to  communicate,  genuflect  in  adoration  of 
Christ  in  the  Sacrament  as  you  leave  your  seat 
and  before  taking  your  place  at  the  Altar  rail, 
saying    silently.) 

LORD  Jesus,  I  am  not  worthy  that  Thou 
shouldst  come  under  my  roof.  O  my 
Saviour  come  to  me  and  be  to  me  the  way  of 
everlasting  life ! 

(As  the  Priest  comes  to  yon,  sign  the  Cross  >^  and 
receive  the  Blessed  Sacrament  in  the  right  hand, 
supported  by  the  left,  as  the  Priest  says  the 
Words   of   Administration.) 

'  I  ^HE    Body    of    Our    Lord    Jesus    Christ, 

which  was  given   for  thee,  preserve  thy 

body  and  soul  unto  everlasting  life.     Take  and 

cat  this  in  remembrance  that  Christ  died  for 

thee,  and  feed  on  Him  in  thy  heart  by  faith, 

with  thanksgiving. 

(After   receiving,    bend   lozu   in   adoration   and   thanks- 
giving and  say  the  follozving  or  some  other  zvords:) 

np  HANKS    be   to    Thee,    O    Lord,    for   this 
-''       most  Wonderful  Gift. 

HAIL!  Most  Holy  Body  of  Christ.  I 
worship  and  adore  Thee,  my  Lord  and 
Saviour  in  this  Most  Blessed  Sacrament  of 
the  Altar.  May  this  Holy  Sacrament  be  unto 
me  the  way  of  everlasting  life. 


lOO  THE   PRACTICE  OF   RELIGION 

(As  the  Priest  comes  with  the  Chalice,  say  silently.) 

OMY  Saviour!  Thou  hast  said,  "Whoso 
eateth  My  Flesh,  and  drinketh  My 
Blood  hath  eternal  life !''  I  will  receive  the 
cup  of  Salvation  and  call  upon  the  Name  of 
the  Lord. 

(Then    signing    the    Cross    \^     guide    the    Chalice,    if 
necessary,  as  the  Priest  administers  with  the  words:) 

'~p  HE  Blood  of  O'ur  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
•which  was  shed  for  thee,  preserve  thy 
body  and  soul  unto  everlasting  life.  Drink 
this  in  remembrance  that  Christ's  Blood  w^as 
shed  for  thee,  and  be  thankful. 

{TJien    in    devout    thanksgiving   say:) 

"LJAIL!   Most  Sacred  Blood  of  Jesus.     Be 

•*--*■     unto  me  the  Way  of  Everlasting  Life. 

pjLESSED,    praised    and    hallowed    be    Our 

-^   Lord   Jesus    Christ,   on    His    Throne    of 

Glory   and    in    His    Most    Holy    Sacrament   of 

the  Altar. 

f^  MY  Saviour,  I  love  Thee,  I  adore  Thee, 

^^     and  I  thank  Thee   for  the  Sacred  Gifts 

of  Thy  Body  and  Blood. 

P  RAISE  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  all  that 

■■■         is  within  me  praise  His  Holy  Name. 

(Arising,  genuflect  at  the  Altar  rail  and  again  before 
taking  your  seat,  and  if  time  permits  say  some  of 
the    devotions    provided    elsezvhere.) 

The  Lord's  Prayer. 

Thanksgiving. 

A  LMIGHTY  and  everliving  God,  we  most 

'^^     heartily  thank  Thee,  for  that  Thou  dost 

vouchsafe  to  feed   us  who  have  duly  received 


THE   BODY    AND    BLOOD   OF   OUR   LORD   JESUS 

CHRIST    PRESERVE    THY    BODY    AND 

SOUL  L'NTO  EVERLASTING  LIFE." 


THE    HOLY    COMMUNION  lOI 

these  holy  Mysteries,  with  the  spiritual  food 
of  the  most  precious  Body  and  Blood  of  Thy 
Son  Our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ;  and  dost 
assure  us  thereby  of  Thy  favour  and  goodness 
towards  us ;  and  that  we  are  very  members 
incorporate  in  the  mystical  body  of  Thy  Son, 
which  is  the  blessed  company  of  all  faithful 
people ;  and  are  also  heirs  through  hope  of 
Thy  everlasting  kingdom,  by  the  Merits  of 
the  most  precious  Death  and  Passion  of  Thy 
dear  Son.  And  we  most  humbly  beseech 
Thee,  O  heavenly  Father,  so  to  assist  us  with 
Thy  grace,  that  we  may  continue  in  that  holy 
fellowship,  and  do  all  such  good  works  as 
Thou  hast  prepared  for  us  to  walk  in ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord,  to  Whom,  with  Thee 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  honour  and  glory, 
world  without  end.     Amen. 

Gloria  in  Excelsis. 
/^LORY  be  to  God  on  high,  and  on  earth 
^"^  peace,  good  will  towards  men.  We 
praise  Thee,  we  bless  Thee,  we  worship  Thee, 
we  glorify  Thee,  we  give  thanks  to  Thee  for 
Thy  great  glory,  O  Lord  God,  heavenly  King, 
God  the  Father  Almighty. 

O  Lord,  the  Only-begotten  Son,  Jesus 
Christ  ;  O  Lord  God,  Lamb  of  God,  Son  of 
the  Father,  that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  have  mercy  upon  us.    Thou  that  takest 


102  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

away  the  sins  of  the  world,  have  mercy  upon 
us.  Thou  that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the 
world,  receive  our  prayer.  Thou  that  sittest 
at  the  right  hand  of  God  the  Father,  have 
mercy  upon  us. 

For  Thou  only  art  holy;  Thou  only  art  the 
Lord;  Thou  only,  O  Christ,  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  art  most  high  ("^  here  sign  the  Cross) 
in  the  glory  of  God  the  Father.    Amen. 

The  Blessing. 

npHE  Peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing,  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in 
the  knowledge  and  love  of  God,  and  of  His 
Son  Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord:  And  the  Bless- 
ing of  God  Almighty  ("^  here  sign  the  Cross), 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
be  amongst  you  and  remain  with  you  always. 
Amen. 

{One  should  remain  kneeling  in  Church  until  the  Priest 
has  finished  the  Ablutions  and  leaves  the  Sanctuary. 
During  this  time  the  following  Gospel  for  Christmas 
Day  may  be  said  and  also  the  private  Thanksgiving.) 

IN  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the 
Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was 
God.  The  same  was  in  the  beginning  with 
God.  All  things  were  made  by  Him;  and 
without  Him  was  not  any  thing  made  that 
was  made.  In  Him  was  life ;  and  the  life  was 
the  light  of  men.  And  the  light  shineth  in 
darkness ;  and  the  darkness  comprehended  it 
not.    There  was  a  man  sent  from  God,  whose 


THE    HOLY   COMMUNION  I03 

name  was  John.  The  same  came  for  a  witness, 
to  bear  witness  of  the  Light;  that  all  men 
through  him  might  believe.  He  was  not  that 
Light,  but  was  sent  to  bear  witness  of  that 
Light.  That  was  the  true  Light,  which 
lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world. 
He  was  in  the  world,  and  the  world  was  made 
by  Him,  and  the  world  knew  Him  not.  He 
came  unto  His  own,  and  His  own  received 
Him  not.  But  as  many  as  received  Him,  to 
them  gave  He  power  to  become  the  sons  of 
God,  even  to  them  that  believe  on  His  Name: 
which  were  born,  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the 
will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but 
of  God.  And  the  Word  was  made  flesh,  and 
dwelt  among  us,  (and  we  beheld  His  glory, 
the  glory  as  of  the  Only-begotten  of  the 
Father,)   full  of  grace  and  truth. 

{Now  turn  to  the  Thanksgiving  which  follows  on  page  104.) 

{Those  zvho  are  iinable  to  be  present  in  Church  should 
make  a  Spiritual  Co»iinunioH  by  reading  over 
such  parts  of  the  sen'ice  as  could  be  used  alone 
and   following  the  Form  set   forth  on   page   no.) 

{Those  v.'ho  attend  a  Celebration  of  the  Holy  Eucharist 
for  zvorship  but  not  for  Communion  will  find 
suitable   devotions  in   sections  IV  or   V.) 


Ill 

THANKSGIVING  AFTER   COMMUNION 

(Before  leaving  tke  Church  the  communicant  shruld  most 
devoutly  make  a  Thanksgiving  for  the  Gift  of  Our 
Lord's  Precious  Body  and  Blood.  The  following  is 
chiefly  from  Old  Sarum  Rite.) 

Antiphon.  Let  us  sing  the  Song  of  the 
Three  Children ;  which  they  sang  as  they 
blessed  the  Lord  in  the  furnace  of  fire. 

Benedicite,  omnia  Opera. 

OALL  ye  works  of  the  Lord,  bless  ye  the 
Lord,    praise    Him,    and    magnify    Him 
for  ever. 

O  ye  Angels  of  the  Lord,  bless  ye  the  Lord: 
praise  Him,  and  magnify  Him  for  ever. 

O  ye  Children  of  Men,  bless  ye  the  Lord: 
praise  Him,  and  magnify  Him  for  ever,^ 

O  let  Israel  bless  the  Lord  :  praise  Him,  and 
magnify  Him   for  ever. 

O  ye  Priests  of  the  Lord,  bless  ye  the  Lord: 
praise  Him,  and  magnify  Him  for  ever. 

O  ye  Servants  of  the  Lord,  bless  ye  the 
Lord:  praise  Him,  and  magnify  Him  for  ever. 

O  ye  Spirits  and  Souls  of  the  Righteous, 
bless  ye  the  Lord:  praise  Him,  and  magnify 
Him  for  ever. 

O  ye  holy  and  humble  Men  of  heart,  bless 
ye  the  Lord:  praise  Him,  and  magnify  Him 
for  ever. 

O  Ananias,  Azarias.  and  Misael,  bless  ye  the 
Lord:  praise  Him,  and  magnify  Him  for  ever. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 
104 


THANKSGIVING   AFTER    COMMUNION       I05 

Psalm  cl-    Laudate  Dominum. 

O  PRAISE  God  in  His  holiness :  praise 
Him  in  the  firmament  of  His  power. 

Praise  Him  in  His  noble  acts :  praise  Him 
according  to  His  excellent  greatness. 

Praise  Him  in  the  sound  of  the  trumpet: 
praise  Him  upon  the  lute  and  harp. 

Praise  Him  in  the  cymbals  and  dances : 
praise  Him  upon  the  strings  and  pipe. 

Praise  Him  upon  the  well-tuned  cymbals : 
praise  Him  upon  the  loud  cymbals. 

Let  every  thing  that  hath  breath  praise  the 
Lord. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Nunc  Ditnittis. 

IORD,  now  lettest  Thou  Thy  servant  depart 
-^      in  peace,   according  to  Thy   word. 
For  mine  eyes  have  seen  Thy  salvation, 
Which  Thou  hast  prepared  before  the  face 
of  all  people. 

To  be  a  light  to  lighten  the  Gentiles;   and 
to  be  the  glory  of  Thy  people  Israel. 
Glory  be  to  the  Father,  etc. 

Antiphon.  Let  us  sing  the  Song  of  the 
Three  Children;  which  they  sang  as  they 
blessed  the  Lord  in  the  furnace  of  fire. 

LORD,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
''     Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 

OUR  Father.  Who  art  in  heaven.  Hallowed 
be    Thy    Name.      Thy    kingdom    come. 
Thy  will  be  done  on  earth.  As  it  is  in  heaven. 


Io6  THE    PRACTICE    OF   RELIGION 

Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive 
us  our  trespasses.  As  we  forgive  those  that 
trespass  against  us.  And  lead  us  not  into 
temptation:    But  deliver  us  from  evil.     Amen. 

Let  us  bless  God,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost. 
Let  us  praise  and  exalt  Him  above  all  for 
ever. 
Blessed  art  Thou,  O  Lord  in  the  highest. 
And  worthy  to  be  praised  and  glorious  for 
ever. 
The   Almighty    and    Merciful    God   bless    and 

keep  us.    Amen. 
Enter  not  into  judgment  with  Thy  servant,  O 
Lord. 
For  in    Thy  Sight  shall  no   man   living  be 
justiHed. 
Turn  us  again,  O  Lord  God  of  Hosts. 
Show  the  light  of  Thy  Countenance  and  we 
shall  be  whole. 
O  Lord,  hear  my  prayer. 

And  let  my  cry  come  unto  Thee. 
The  Lord  be  with  you. 
And  with  thy  spirit. 

OGOD,  Who  for  the  Three  Children  didst 
cool  the  flames  of  fire,  mercifully  grant 
that  the  flame  of  sin  may  not  consume  us  Thy 
servants. 

Enkindle,  O  Lord,  with  the  fire  of  Thy  Holy 
Spirit,  our  reins  and  our  hearts,  that  we  may 
serve  Thee  with  chaste  bodies  and  please  Thee 
with   pure   minds. 

Prevent  us,  O  Lord,  in  all  our  doings  with 
Thy  most  gracious  favour,  and  further  us  with 


THANKSGIVING   AFTER   COMMUNION      107 

Thy  continual  help :  that  in  all  our  works 
begun,  continued,  and  ended  in  Thee,  we  may 
glorify  Thy  Holy  Name,  and  finally  by  Thy 
mercy  obtain  everlasting  life. 

Through  Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord,  Who 
livest  and  reignest  with  Thee,  in  the  Unity  of 
the  same  Spirit,  ever  One  God,  world  without 
end.     Amen. 


OMOST  Blessed  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  we  love  Thee,  we  adore  Thee, 
we  worship  Thee  and  we  thank  Thee  for 
these  the  Holy  Mysteries  of  Thy  Body  and 
Blood.  Grant  us  grace  that  we  may  go  forth 
in  Thy  strength  and  live  as  befitteth  those  to 
whom  Thou  hast  deigned  to  come.  Let  us 
ever  remember  the  Sacred  Gifts  which  we 
have  received  and  in  joy  or  sorrow,  adversity 
or  prosperity,  let  us  recollect  Thine  Abiding 
Presence.  Let  us  never  defile  the  temple 
wherein  Thou  dost  abide.  Keep  us  pure  in 
thought  and  word  and  deed,  and  grant  us  so 
to  follow  Thee  in  this  world,  that  in  the 
world  to  come  we  may  see  Thee  Face  to  Face 
and  dwell  with  Thee  in  Thine  Heavenly  King- 
dom unto  the  ages  of  ages.     Amen. 

OLORD,  Who  under  a  wonderful  Sacra- 
ment has  left  us  a  Memorial  of  Thy 
Passion ;  Grant  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  so  to 
reverence  the  Sacred  Mysteries  of  Thy  Body 
and  Blood  that  we  may  perpetually  find  in 
ourselves  the  fruit  of  Thy  Redemption ;  Who 
livest  and  reignest  with  the  Father  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  One  God,  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 


I08  THE   PRACTICE  OF   RELIGION 

jDARDON,  O  Father,  the  imperfections  of 
^  our  prayers  and  praises,  our  wandering 
thoughts  and  lack  of  devotion.  Look  not 
upon  us,  'but  upon  the  Face  of  Thine  Anointed 
and  see  us  only  as  we  are  seen  in  Him.  For 
His  Sake,  accept  us,  penitents  at  the  Throne 
of  Grace,  and  grant  that  what  we  have  said 
■with  our  lips,  we  may  believe  in  our  hearts 
and  practise  in  our  lives,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  Our  Lord.    x\men. 

T      ET  us  go  forth  in  peace. 

-*— '     In  the  Name  of  the  Lord.    Amen. 

(For   further   Devotions   see   page    117,    or   say    the 
following:) 

From  tlie  Ancient  Hymn  ''Saint  Patrick's 
Breastplate." 

CHRIST  be  with  me,  Christ  within  me, 
Christ  behind  me,  Christ  before  me, 
Christ  beside  me,  Christ  to  win  me, 
Christ  to  comfort  and  restore  me ; 
Christ  beneath  me,  Christ  above  me, 

Christ  in  quiet,  Christ  in  danger, 
Christ  in  hearts  of  all  that  love  mie, 
Christ  in  mouth  of  friend  and  stranger. 

I  bind  unto  myself  the  Name, 

The  strong  Name  of  the  Trinity; 
By  invocation  of  the  same. 

The  Three  in  One,  and  One  in  Three. 
O'f  Whom  all  nature  hath  creation; 

Eternal  Father,  Spirit,  Word: 
Praise  to  the  Lord  of  my  salvation. 

Salvation  is  of  Christ  the  Lord. 

{On  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which  the  Holy  Com- 
munion is  received,  say  the  Short  Thanksgiving 
on  page   109.) 


THANKSGIVING    AFTER   COMMUNION.         ICQ 

A    THANKSGIVING    AT    NIGHT 

{To    he    said    on    the    evening    following    the    morning 
■when  one  communicates.) 

IN  the  Name   >b  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 

LET  us  give   thanks   unto   Our   Lord   God 
and  praise  Him  for  all  His  mercies, 

OMOST  Gracious  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  we  give  Thee  hearty  thanks 
that  Thou  hast  been  pleased  to  feed  us  this 
day  with  the  Most  'Comfortable  Sacrament  of 
Thy  Body  and  Blood.  We  praise  Thee  and 
bless  Thee  for  all  Thy  Goodness  to  us  and  to 
all  men,  and  pray  Thee  that  we  may  have 
received  these  Holy  Mysteries  to  Thine  Hon- 
our and  Glory,  to  our  strength  and  salvation, 
and  not  to  our  condemnation  and  punishment. 
Grant  us  henceforth  to  live  a  life  hid  with 
Thee  in  God  seeking  the  things  which  are 
above  and  rejoicing  only  at  that  which  brings 
us  closer  to  Thee,  so  that  finally  we  may  come 
to   Everlasting  life.     Amen. 


O 


UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 


LO'RD,  Thou  hast  been  very  gracious  to  me 
this  day;   I  will  give  Thee  thanks  v;ith 
my  whole  heart. 
{Here  may  he  added  a  Psalm,  such  as  25,  26,  27,  103.) 

THE  Lord  bless  ^  us  and  keep  us.  The 
Lord  make  His  Face  to  shine  upon  us 
and  be  gracious  unto  us.  The  Lord  lift  up  the 
Light  of  His  Countenance  upon  us,  and  give 
us  peace  both  now  and  evermore.    Amen. 


no  THE  PRACTICE  OF  RELIGION. 

SPIRITUAL   COMMUNION. 

(It  is  the  bounden  duty  of  everyone  to  he  present  at 
the  Holy  Eucharist  or  Mass  every  Sunday  and 
Holy  Day  unless  prevented  by  grave  cause.  When 
it  is  really  impossible  the  follozving  may  be  used:) 

JN  the  Name    of  >h  the  Father  and  of  the 
-■■     Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen, 
Antiphon:    O  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord 
for  His  Goodness  and  declare  the  wonders 
that  He  doeth  for  the  children  of  men  ! 
(Now  read  or  say  the  following,  in  order.) 
Psalm  43,  The  Short  Summary  of  the  Law, 
The   Kyrie,    The   Collect,   The    Epistle 
AND  THE  Gospel  for  the  Day,  The  Creed, 
The  Comfortable  Words. 

(In  place  of  what  follows  in  the  service,  you  may 
now    say.) 

r\  MY  Saviour,  I  cannot  now  receive  Thee 
^^  in  the  Holy  Mysteries  or  adore  Thee 
in  the  Blessed  Sacrament  oi  the  Altar.  Yet 
in  spirit  I  would  join  myself  with  all  of  the 
Faithful  who  in  Thy  Holy  Church  offer  Thee 
the  Sacrifice  of  Praise  and  Thanksgiving,  Visit 
me,  I  pray,  with  Thy  Mercy,  Pardon  and  Bless- 
ing that  I  may  henceforth  live  to  Thine  Hon- 
our and  Glory.     Amen. 

Antiphon:  O  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord 
for  His  Goodness  and  declare  the  wonders 
that  He  doeth  for  the  children  of  men  ! 

(Now  read  some  of  the  Devotions  in  Parts  IV  and  V, 
make   a  short  Meditation,   and   close  as  follows.) 

/^UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 

THE  Grace  ►J'  of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
etc. 


IV 
ADDITIONAL    DEVOTIONS 

Before  Communion. 

ALMIGHTY  and  Everlasting  God,  behold 
I  approach  the  Sacrament  of  Thine  Only- 
begotten  Son,  Jesus  Christ.  As  one  sick  I 
come  to  the  Physician  of  life:  as  unclean  to 
the  Fountain  of  Mercy:  as  blind  to  the  Light 
of  eternal  splendour :  as  needy  to  the  Lord 
of  Heaven  and  earth :  as  naked  to  the  King 
of  Glory :  a  lost  sheep  to  the  Good  Shepherd : 
a  fallen  creature  to  its  Creator :  desolate  to 
the  kind  Comforter:  miserable  to  the  Pitier: 
guilty  to  the  Bestower  of  pardon :  sinful  to 
the  Justifier :  hardened  to  the  Giver  of  Grace. 
I  implore  therefore  the  abundance  of  Thy 
Infinite  Bounty  that  Thou  wouldst  vouchsafe 
to  heal  my  sickness,  to  wash  my  foulness,  to 
enlighten  my  darkness,  to  enrich  my  poverty, 
and  to  clothe  my  nakedness ;  that  I  may 
receive  the  Bread  of  Angels,  the  King  of 
Kings,  the  Lord  of  Lords,  with  such  reverence 
and  humility,  with  such  love  and  contrition, 
with  such  faith  and  devotion  as  is  good  for 
the  welfare  of  my  soul.  Grant  me,  I  pray,  not 
only  to  receive  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Body  and  Blood,  but  also  the  virtue  of  the 
Sacrament.  O  Most  Merciful  God,  grant  me 
so  to  receive  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Thy 
Son  Jesus  Christ,  that  I  may  be  incorporated 
in  His  Mystical  Body  and  washed  from  every 
stain  of  sin.     And  O   Most  Loving  Father, 


112  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

grant  me  that  Him,  Whom  I  now  purpose  to 
receive  beneath  a  veil,  I  may  hereafter  behold 
with  unveiled  face,  even  Thy  Beloved  Son, 
Who  with  Thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost  liveth 
and  reigneth  ever  One  God,  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen.     (Adapted  from  St.  Thomas  Aquinas.) 

BE  Thou  Merciful  to  me,  O  Good  Jesus, 
and  grant  unto  me,  Thy  poor  suppliant, 
sometimes  at  least  to  feel  in  Holy  Communion 
the  cordial  afifection  of  Thy  love,  that  my 
faith  may  grow  stronger,  my  hope  increase, 
my  love  enkindle.  .  .  .  O  Most  Holy  and  Lov- 
ing Lord,  Whom  I  now  desire  to  receive  with 
devotion,  Thou  knowest  my  weakness  and 
how  often  I  am  weighed  down,  tempted, 
troubled,  and  defiled.  To  Thee  I  come  for 
remedy.  To  Thee  I  pray  for  comfort  and  help. 
Behold,  I  stand  before  Thee,  beseeching  Thy 
grace  and  imploring  Thy  mercy.  O  Cheer 
Thy  famishing  suppliant,  enkindle  my  coldness 
with  the  fire  of  Thy  love,  enlighten  my  blind- 
ness with  the  brightness  of  Thy  Presence, 
and  raise  my  heart  unto  Thee.  .  .  .  With  the 
greatest  devotion  and  burning  love,  with  all 
the  affection  and  fervour  of  my  heart  I  desire 
to  receive  Thee,  O  Lord.  O  deal  with  me  in 
Thy  mercy  as  Thou  hast  often  dealt  wonder- 
fully with  Thy  saints  of  old,  and  prevent  Thy 
servant  in  the  blessing  of  Thy  love,  that  I 
may  worthily  and  devoutly  approach  and 
receive  this  Glorious  Sacrament.  Amen. 
(Adapted  from  St.  Thomas  a  Kempis.) 

OLORD,     we     Thy    servants     bow    down 
before  Thy  Holy  Altar,  waiting  for  the 
rich    mercies    which    are    from    Thee.      Send 


DEVOTIONS    BEFORE    COMMUNION         II3 

down  upon  us  richly,  we  beseech  Thee,  Thy 
grace  and  benediction,  and  sanctify  our  souls 
and  minds  and  bodies  that  we  may  worthily 
receive  these  Holy  Mysteries,  unto  forgiveness 
of  sins  and  everlasting  life.  For  Thou,  O 
God,  with  Thine  Only-begotten  Son  and  Thy 
Most  Holy  Spirit  art  to  be  worshipped  and 
glorified  now  and  for  ever.  (Adapted  from 
the  Liturgy  of  St.  James.) 

OLORD,  with  this  Holy  Sacrifice  we  ofifer 
up  our  prayers  and  supplications  unto 
Thee,  asking  for  ourselves  the  peace  from 
above,  the  Love  of  God,  the  Salvation  of  our 
Souls ;  for  others  that  Thou  wouldst  be  pleased 
to  remember  the  poor,  to  help  the  suffering, 
to  heal  the  sick,  to  comfort  the  broken-hearted, 
to  watch  over  the  traveller,  to  give  peace  to 
the  Church,  to  grant  prosperity  to  the  world, 
bringing  all  people  to  love  and  confess  Thee, 
the  One  and  Only  God.  And  especially  do  we 
pray  for  the  heavenly  and  adorable  gifts  which 
are  from  Thee,  and  for  the  salvation  of  Thy 
priest  who  stands  to  offer  them  by  Thy  Divine 
Command.  O  Lord  God,  grant  that  our  Obla- 
tions, hallowed  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  may  be 
well  pleasing  unto  Thee,  and  accept  them,  we 
beseech  Thee,  for  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins, 
the  salvation  of  Thy  people,  and  the  repose 
of  the  faithful,  that  all  at  the  Day  of  Judg- 
ment may  find  grace  and  mercy,  through 
Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord.  (Adapted  from  the 
Liturgy  of  St.  James.) 

FATHER,    I    have    sinned    against    Heaven 
and  before  Thee,  and  am  no  more  worthy 
to  be  called  Thy   son.     I   have  ministered  to 
8 


114  THE    PRACTICE    OF   RELIGION 

my  own  desires  and  lusts,  despising  Thy 
Fatherly  Love.  I  have  dug  for  myself  cis- 
terns which  hold  no  water,  cisterns  of  earthly 
joys  and  vanities,  leaving  Thee  the  Fountain 
of  many  waters.  I  have  sought  pleasure  in 
creatures  which  is  only  to  be  found  in  Thee; 
and  now  behold  all  is  vanity  and  vexation  of 
spirit,  for  Thou  hast  made  me  for  Thyself, 
and  my  heart  findeth  no  true  rest  apart  from 
Thee.  Therefore  I  return  to  Thee,  O  Loving 
Father,  Whose  Mercy  is  Infinite,  Whose 
Goodness  knoweth  no  end.  Wherefore  I  cry. 
Father,  I  have  sinned  against  Heaven  and 
before  Thee  and  am  no  more  worthy  to  be 
called  Thy  son;  make  me  as  one  of  Thine 
hired  servants.  O  grant  that  henceforth  I 
may  walk  in  the  straight  path  and  narrow  way 
that  leadeth  to  Eternal  Life,  where  with  the 
Son  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  Thou  art  unclouded 
Light  and  perfect  Joy  through  Jesus  Christ 
Our  Lord.     (Adapted  from  St.  Augustine.) 

OLORD,  Who  dost  bless  those  that  bless 
Thee,  and  dost  hallow  those  that  put 
their  trust  in  Thee,  save  Thy  people  and  bless 
Thine  inheritance.  Guard,  we  beseech  Thee, 
Thy  Holy  Church.  Hallow  those  that  love  the 
beauty  of  Thine  House.  Forsake  not  us  who 
put  our  trust  in  Thee.  Give  peace  to  the 
world,  to  the  Church,  to  the  Priesthood,  to 
our  Rulers,  and  to  all  Thy  people;  for  every 
good  gift  and  every  perfect  work  is  from  above, 
coming  from  Thee,  the  Father  of  Lights,  to 
Whom  we  ascribe,  with  the  Son  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  all  glory,  thanksgiving  and  worship 
now  and  ever,  unto  the  ages  of  ages.  (Adapted 
from   the  Liturgy  of  St.   Clirysostom.) 


DEVOTIONS    BEFORE    COMMUNION  II5 

COME,  O  Lord,  in  mercy  to  my  soul  and 
dwell  there  for  ever.  Give  to  me  Thy- 
self, without  Whom  all  the  world  could  not 
satisfy,  and  with  Whom  is  joy  unspeakable. 
Let  me  seek  Thee  with  the  full  strength  of 
my  being,  with  the  ardent  longing  of  my  soul, 
and  finding  Thee,  let  my  life  show  forth  the 
Glory  of  Thy  Name,  in  the  flowers  of  good 
works  and  the  fragrance  of  holy  living.    Amen. 

OLORD,  we  offer  unto  Thee  with  this 
Holy  Sacrifice  ourselves  and  souls  and 
bodies  for  Thee  to  accept  for  the  sake  of  Thy 
Beloved  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.  Grant, 
O  God,  that  hallowed  by  our  union  with  Him, 
and  cleansed  in  His  Precious  Blood,  we  may 
be  an  acceptable  offering  in  Thy  sight,  and 
may  evermore  give  ourselves  up  in  loving 
service  and  holy  obedience  to  Thee,  Who  art 
to  be  praised  and  glorified,  One  God,  for  ever 
and  ever. 

OLORD,  by  this  Most  Sacred  Mystery  of 
Thy  Body  and  Blood,  grant  us  Thy 
manifold  Gifts  of  Grace  .  .  .  that  we  may 
receive  this  Blessed  Sacrament  to  our  health 
and  comfort.  For  Thou  hast  said,  "  The  Bread 
which  I  give  is  My  Flesh  for  the  life  of  the 
world.  I  am  the  Living  Bread  which  came 
down  from  Heaven.  If  any  man  eat  of  this 
Bread,  he  shall  live  for  ever."  .  .  .  O  Bread 
most  sweet  that  ever  refreshest  and  never 
failest,  may  we  feed  upon  thee  and  may  our 
inmost  soul  be  filled  with  Thine  Heavenly 
Peace.  May  we  in  our  pilgrimage  §o  receive 
Thee  that  we  may  not  faint  upon  our  way,  but 


Il6  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

come  in  safety  to  the  end  of  our  journey,  O 
Holy  Bread,  O  Living  Bread,  O  Adorable 
Bread,  the  very  Body  and  Blood  of  Our 
Saviour  Christ,  come  unto  us  and  cleanse  us 
from  all  defilement  of  flesh  and  spirit.  Drive 
away  from  us  all  our  foes  and  so  preserve  us 
that  we  may  come  in  safety  to  Thine  Heavenly 
Kingdom,  no  longer  to  see  Thee  in  Holy  Mys- 
teries, but  then  face  to  face.  Amen.  (Taken 
from  Prayers  variously  ascribed  to  St.  Anselm 
and  St.  Ambrose.) 

OLORD,  as  we  receive  Thy  Precious  Body 
and  Blood,  send  forth  Thine  unseen 
Hand  which  is  full  of  blessings  and  bounti- 
fully bless  us  all.  Have  mercy  upon  us  and 
strengthen  us  by  Thy  Divine  Power.  Take 
away  from  us  the  sinful  working  of  all  fleshly 
lusts.  Drive  from  before  our  eyes  the  encom- 
passing gloom  of  sin  and  unite  us  with  the 
blessed  company  of  all  faithful  people,  who 
have  been  well  pleasing  unto  Thee.  For 
through  Thee  and  with  Thee  and  in  Thee, 
with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  be  all 
praise,  honour,  might,  majesty,  dominion  and 
power,  now  and  for  ever,  unto  the  ages  of 
ages.  Amen.  {Adapted  from  the  Liturgy  of 
St.  Mark.) 

WE  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  that  this  Holy 
Communion  may  be  unto  us  a  guide 
and  provision  for  our  journey  unto  the  haven 
of  everlasting  Salvation.  May  it  be  to  us 
comfort  in  sorrow,  strength  in  trial,  patience 
in  difficulty,  medicine  in  sickness,  delight  in 
prosperity,  and  love  in  all  things.  By  these 
most  Ho!y  Mysteries,  which  we  would  receive. 


DEVOTIONS    AFTER   COMMUNION  II7 

grant  us  right  faith,  firm  hope,  and  perfect 
charity,  purification  of  desire,  gladness  of 
mind,  ardent  love  of  Thee,  and  a  due  remem- 
brance of  the  Passion  of  Thy  Beloved  Son, 
with  grace  to  keep  our  lives  full  of  faith  and 
virtue.  And  in  the  hour  of  our  departure 
grant  that  we  may  receive  this  great  Mystery 
with  true  faith,  sure  hope,  and  sincere  charity 
unto  Everlasting  Life.  Amen.  (Adapted 
from  Old  Sarum  Rite.) 

After  Communion. 

ALMIGHTY  and  Everlasting  God,  Pre- 
server of  Souls  and  Redeemer  of  the 
world,  most  graciously  regard  me  Thy  servant 
prostrate  before  Thy  Majesty;  and  this  Sac- 
rifice which  in  honour  of  Thy  Name  we  have 
presented  before  Thee,  for  the  Salvation  of 
the  faithful,  whether  living  or  departed  and 
also  for  our  sins  and  offences  do  Thou  most 
mercifully  regard.  Take  away  from  me  Thy 
wrath,  grant  me  Thy  grace  and  mercy,  open 
to  me  the  door  of  Paradise,  mightily  rescue 
me  from  all  evil  and  forgive  whatever  sin  of 
my  own  guilt  I  have  committed.  And  make 
me  so  to  persevere  in  Thy  Commandments  in 
this  world,  that  I  may  be  made  worthy  to  be 
united  to  the  flock  of  the  Elect,  through  Thy 
Bounty,  O  my  God.  Whose  Blessed  Name  and 
Honour  and  Kingdom  remaineth  for  ever  and 
ever.  Amen.  (Adapted  from  Old  Sarum 
Rite.) 

ALMIGHTY    and    Everlasting    God,    Jesus 
■     Christ  my  Lord,  be  Thou  merciful  to 
my  sins,  through  the  reception  of  Thy  Body 


Il8       THE  PRACTICE  OF  RELIGION 

and  Blood.  For  Thou,  O  Lord,  hast  said 
"  Whoso  eateth  My  Flesh  and  drinketh  My 
Blood  dwelleth  in  Me  and  I  in  Him."  Where- 
fore I  humbly  beseech  Thee,  that  Thou 
wouldst  create  in  me  a  pure  heart,  and  renew 
a  right  spirit  within  me;  that  Thou  wouldst 
deign  to  stablish  me  with  Thy  Firm  Spirit; 
and  so  deliver  me  from  the  snares  of  the  devil 
and  from  all  my  sins,  that  I  may  attain  to  be 
a  partaker  of  Thine  heavenly  joys;  Who  livest 
and  reignest  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  one  God,  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 
(Adapted  from  Old  Sariim  Rite.) 

WE  yield  Thee  thanks,  O  Lord,  Holy 
Father,  Almighty,  Everlasting  God. 
Who  not  for  any  merit  of  ours,  but  of  Thy 
mercy  only,  hast  been  pleased  to  feed  us 
sinners,  Thine  unworthy  servants,  with  the 
Precious  Body  and  Blood  of  Thy  Son,  Our 
Lord,  Jesus  Christ.  And  we  beseech  Thee, 
that  this  Holy  Communion  may  not  accuse  us 
unto  condemnation  but  may  be  to  us  pardon 
and  salvation.  Let  it  be  to  us  an  armour  of 
faith  and  a  shield  of  good  resolution.  Let  it 
be  to  us  the  riddance  of  all  vices,  the  killing 
of  all  evil  desires  and  longings,  and  the 
increase  of  love  and  patience,  of  humility  and 
obedience,  and  of  all  virtues;  a  firm  defence 
against  all  enemies  visible  and  invisible,  a 
constraining  power  to  purity  and  holiness. 
Let  it  make  us  always  cling  closely  to  Thee, 
the  One,  True,  and  Only  God,  and  end  our 
earthly  days  in  peace.  And  we  pray  Thee  to 
bring  us  to  that  Heavenly  Banquet,  where 
Thou  with  Thy  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost  art 
to  Thy  Saints  true  light,  everlasting  joy,  and 


DEVOTIONS    AFTER    COMMUNION  IIQ 

perfect    happiness.      Amen.      (Adapted    from 
Old  Sarum  Rite.) 

MAY  the  performance  of  our  bounden  duty- 
be  pleasing  unto  Thee,  O  God,  'and 
grant  that  this  Holy  Sacrifice  which  we, 
though  unworthy,  have  presented  before  Thy 
Divine  Majesty,  may  be  acceptable  unto  Thee 
and  obtain  mercy  for  us  and  for  those  for 
whom  we  pray,  by  Thy  compassion,  Who 
livest  and  reignest  One  God,  world  without 
end.  Amen.  {Adapted  from  Old  Sarum 
Rite.) 

OLORD,  we  would  remember  in  our  pray- 
ers the  Holy  Catholic  Church,  that  Thou 
mayst  graciously  vouchsafe  to  increase  it  in 
faith,  hope,  and  charity.  We  would  remember 
the  sick  and  suffering,  the  desolate  and  sor- 
rowful, the  poor  and  destitute,  that  Thou 
may.st  heal,  comfort  and  relieve  them.  We 
would  remember  the  souls  of  the  faithful 
departed,  that  they  may  rest  in  peace  where 
their  works  do  follow  them.  Mercifully  per- 
form this,  we  beseech  Thee,  O  Eternal  and 
Almighty  Father,  to  Whom  we  offer  this 
Holy  Sacrifice.  Amen,  {Adapted  from  the 
Mozarahic  Liturgy.) 

MOST  Blessed  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ  the  great  High  Priest,  Who 
for  us  didst  offer  Thyself  upon  the  Cross,  a 
pure  and  spotless  Victim,  and  didst  ordain  this 
Holy  Mystery  and  give  us  Thy  Flesh  to  eat 
and  Thy  Blood  to  drink,  saying,  Do  this  in 
remembrance  of  Me,  I  pray  Thee  to  wash  us 


I20  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

from  our  sins,  and  teach  us  by  Thy  Holy 
Spirit  to  receive  these  Sacred  Gifts  with  such 
reverence  and  honour,  such  devotion  and  love 
as  is  meet  and  fitting.  Make  us  through  Thy 
Grace,  always  to  believe  and  think  and  speak 
of  this  great  Mystery  as  shall  please  Thee 
and  be  good  for  our  souls.  Let  Thy  Holy 
Spirit  enter  into  our  hearts  and  speak  and 
teach  all  truth.  For  these  Sacred  Mysteries 
are  beyond  man's  understanding.  In  Thy 
Mercy  grant  us  to  receive  this  Holy  Eucharist 
with  a  clean  heart  and  pure  mind.  Drive 
away  all  vain,  evil,  impure  and  unholy 
thoughts.  Defend  us  with  the  loving  and 
faithful  protection  of  the  blessed  angels,  and 
keep  us  free  from  the  spirit  of  pride  and 
vanity,  envy  and  blasphemy,  doubt  and  dis- 
trust and  fill  us  with  boundless  love  of  Thee. 
Amen.  (From  Prayers  ascribed  to  St. 
Anselm  or  St.  Ambrose.) 

OMOST  Merciful  Saviour,  look  with  com- 
passion, we  beseech  Thee,  upon  us  who 
have  received  the  sacred  gifts  of  Thy  Body 
and  Blood.  Bless  the  lips  which  have  praised 
Thee,  the  heart  which  ^  has  loved  Thee,  the 
body  which  has  worshipped  Thee,  the  soul 
which  has  adored  Thee,  that  in  the  world  to 
come  they  may  be  Thine  for  ever.     Amen. 

OGOD,  Who  art  Holy  and  Wonderful  and 
Mighty,  Whose  Power  and  Wisdom 
have  no  end,  before  Whom  all  things  bow,  and 
the  heavens  and  earth  declare  Thy  Glory, 
grant  me  to  love  Thee  and  to  worship  Thee 
for  ever  and  ever.    Guide  me  unto  the  perfect 


DEVOTIONS    AFTER    COMMUNION  121 

light,  that,  illumined  by  its  radiance,  all  dark- 
ness may  flee  away.  Let  the  holy  flame  of 
Thy  love  so  burn  in  my  heart  that  it  may  be 
made  pure  and  holy,  for  none  but  the  pure  in 
heart  can  see  and  know  and  receive  Thee,  the 
King  of  Kings,  Our  Lord  and  God.  Amen. 
(Adapted  from  St.  Augustine.) 

IN  the  Peace  of  Christ  let  us  depart. 
In  the  Peace  of  Christ  let  us  sing. 

FROM  Glory  to  Glory  let  us  go  forth, 
hymning  in  our  hearts  to  Thee,  the 
Saviour  of  our  souls.  Glory  be  to  the  Father 
and  to  the  Son  and  to  the  Holy  Ghost.  We 
praise  Thee  the  Saviour  of  our  Souls. 

FROM  Strength  to  Strength  advancing,  we 
who  have  accomplished  the  Divine  Min- 
istration in  Thy  Temple,  now  pray  unto  Thee, 
O  God.  Vouchsafe  to  us  Thy  Mercy,  guide 
our  feet  aright,  root  us  firmly  in  Thy  love, 
and  at  last  count  us  worthy  of  Thine  Heavenly 
Kingdom,  through  the  Merits  and  Mediation 
of  Thy  Son,  to  Whom  with  Thee  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  be  Glory,  Honour,  and  Power 
unto  the  Ages  of  Ages.  (Adapted  from  the 
Liturgy  of  St.  James.) 


EUCHARISTIC   HYMNS,    ETC. 

(Many  of  these  are  translations  of  Ancient  Hymns  and  may 
well  be  used  as  Acts  of  Adoration  to  Our  Lord  in  the 
Sacrament.) 


<«  T/'ERY  Bread,  Good  Shepherd,  tend  us: 

V      Jesu,  of  Thy  Love  befriend  us; 
Thou  refresh  us,  Thou  defend  us; 
Thine  eternal  goodness  send  us, 

In  the  land  of  life  to  see. 


Thou,  Who  all  things  canst  and  knowest. 
Who  on  earth  such  Food  bestowest. 
Grant  us  with  Thy  Saints,  though  lowest, 
Where  the  Heavenly  Feast  Thou  showest 
Fellow  heirs  and  guests  to  be." 


**  "DREAD  of  Heaven,  on  Thee  we  feed 

-D     For  Thy  Flesh  is  meat  indeed : 
Ever  may  our  souls  be  fed 
With  this  true  and  living  Bread: 
Day  by  day  with  strength  supplied 
Through  the  Life  of  Him  Who  Died. 

Vine  of  Heaven,  Thy  Blood  supplies 
This  Blest  Cup  of  Sacrifice; 
Lord,  Thy  Wounds  our  healing  give ; 
To  Thy  Cross  we  look  and  live : 

Jesu,  may  we  ever  be 

Grafted,  rooted,  built  in  Thee." 


'HOLY  !    HOLY  !    HOLY  !    LORD   GOD  OF   HOSTS, 

HEAVEN    AND    EARTH    ARE    FULL    OF 

THY    GLORY." 


EUCHARISTIC    HYMNS  123 

Tan  turn  Ergo* 

THEREFORE  we  before  Him  bending 
This   great    Sacrament   revere; 
Types   and  shadows  have  their  ending, 

For   the  newer   Rite   is   here; 
Faith    our   outward    sense   befriending 

Makes   our  inward  vision  clear. 
Glory  let  us  give  and  Wessing 

To  the  FATHER'  and  the   Son, 
Honour,    might,    and   praise   addressing 

While   eternal   ages   run, 
Ever  too   His  Love  confessing 

Who  from  Both  with  Both  is  One. 

Adore    Te   Devote"^ 
np  HEE  we  adore,  O  hidden  Saviour  Thee, 
-•-  Who  in  Thy  Sacrament  dost  deign  to  be  ; 

Both  flesh  and  spirit  at  Thy  Presence  fail. 
Yet  here  Thy  Presence  we  devoutly  hail. 

O  blest  Memorial  of  our  dying  Lord, 
Who  living  Bread  to  men  doth  here  afford ! 
O  may  our  souls  for  ever  feed  on  Thee, 
And  Thou,  O  Christ,  for  ever  precious  be. 

Fountain  of  Goodness,  Jesu,  Lord  and  God, 

Cleanse  us,  unclean,  with  Thy  most  cleansing 
Blood ; 

Increase  our  faith  and  love,  that  we  may 
know 

The  hope  and  peace  which  from  Thy  Pres- 
ence   flow. 

O  Christ,  Whom  now  beneath  a  veil  we  see, 
May  what  we  thirst  for  soon  our  portion  be, 
To  gaze  on  Thee  unveil'd,  and  see  Thy  Face, 
The  vision  of  Thy  glory  and  Thy  grace. 
*St.  Thotnas  Aquinas. 


124  THE   PRACTICE   OF   RELIGION 

^  *  A    ND  now,  O  Father,  mindful  of  the  love 
-^^    That  'bought  us,  once  'for  all  on  Cal- 
vary's  Tree, 
And  having  with  us  Him  that  pleads  above, 
We  here  present,   we  here  spread   forth  to 
Thee, 
That    only    OflFering,    Perfect    in    Thine    eyes. 
The    One,    True,    Pure,    Immortal    Sacrifice. 

Look,  Father,  look  on  His  Anointed  Face 
And  only  look  on  us  as  found  in  Him; 

Look  not  on  our  misusings  of  Thy  Grace, 
Our    prayers    so    languid,    and   our    faith    so 
dim; 

For  lo !  Between  our  sins  and  their  reward, 

Wfe  set  the  Passion  of  Thy  Son  Our  Lord. 

And  then  for  those  our  dearest  and  our  best 

By  this  Prevailing  Presence  we  appeal : 
O  fold  them  closer  to  Thy  Mercy's  Breast ; 
O    do    Thine    utmost    for    their    soul's    true 
weal ! 
From  tainting  mischief  keep  them  white   and 

clear, 
And   crown  their  gifts   with   strength   to   per- 
severe. 

And  so  we  come ;  O  draw  us  to  Thy  Feet, 
Most    Patient    Saviour    Who    canst    love    us 
still ! 

And  by  this  Food,  so  awful  and  so  sweet, 
Deliver  us   from  every  touch  of   ill ; 

In  Thine  Own  service  make  us  glad  and  free, 

And  grant  us  never  more  to  part  from  Thee." 

<^"p\RAW  nigh  and  take  the  Body  of  the 

^-^     Lord, 
And  drink  the  holy  Blood  for  you  outpoured. 


EUCHARISTIC    HYMNS  125 

Saved  by  that  Body  and  that  holy  Blood, 
Wrth  souls  refreshed,  we  render  thanks  to  God. 

Salvation's  Giver,  Christ,  the  Only  Son, 

By  His  dear  Cross  and  Blood  the  victory  won. 

Offered  was  He  for  greatest  and  for  least, 
Himself  the  Victim,  and  Himself  the  Priest. 

Victims  were  offered  by  the  law  of  old, 
Which  in  a  type  this  heavenly  mystery  told. 

He,    Ransomer    from    death,    and    Light    from 

shade, 
Now  gives  His  holy  grace  His  saints  to  aid. 

Approach  3^e  then  with  faithful  hearts  sincere. 
And  take  the  safeguard  of  salvation  here. 

He,  that   His   saints  in   this   world   rules   and 

shields, 
To  all  believers  life  eternal  yields; 

With  heavenly  bread  makes  them  that  hunger 

whole, 
Gives  living  waters  to  the  thirsting  soul." 

O  Salutaris  Hostia* 

O    SAVING  Victim  opening  wide 
The  gate  of  Heaven  to  man  below, 
Our  foes  press  on  from  every  side. 

Thine   aid   supply,   Thy   strength  bestow. 

All  praise  and  thanks  to  Thee  ascend 
For  evermore.  Blest  One  in  Three: 

O  grant  us  life  that  shall  not  end 
In  our  true  native  land  with  Thee. 
*St.  Thomas  Aquinas. 


126  THE   PRACTICE   OF   RELIGION 

Adore    Te    Supplex    {Adapted) 
<<  PROSTRATE     I     adore     Thee,     Deity 

-'-  Unseen, 

Who   Thy  Glory  hidest  'neath  these  shadows 

mean; 
Lord  my  faith  unfeigned,  evermore  increase  ; 
Give  me  hope  unfading,  love  that  cannot  cease. 
Shepherd  of  the  Faithful,  Jesu,  hear  my  cry, 
Lord,  increase  their  faith  who  on  Thy  Faith 
rely. 

'Tvvas   the    Godhead   only,    on    the   Cross   was 

veiled, 
Here    the    Manhood    also    is    from   sight    con- 
cealed. 
Both  alike  believing,  Thee  One  Christ,  I  own 
Pleading  penitently   at   Thy  mercy's   Throne. 
Shepherd  of  the  Faithful,  Jesu  hear  our  cry, 
Lord,  increase  their  faith  who  on  Thy  Faith 
rely." 

Pange  Lingua* 
'^TOW,  my  tongue,  the  mystery  telling 
-^^     Of  the  glorious  Body  sing, 
And  the  Blood,  all  price  excelling, 

Which  the  Gentiles'  Lord  and  King 
In  a  Virgin's  Avomb  once  dwelling. 
Shed  for  this  world's  ransoming. 

Word  made  Flesh,  true  Bread  He  maketh, 
By  His  Word,   His   Flesh  to  be; 

Wine  His  Blood  which  whoso  taketh 
Must  from  carnal  thoughts  be  free ; 

Faith  alone,  though  sight  forsaketh, 
Shows  true  hearts  the   Mystery. 

^  ^  K"  "^^^'^  ^^  Kings,  yet  born  of  Mary, 
-^^     As  of  old,  on  earth  He  stood; 
*St.   Thomas  Aquinas. 


EUCHARISTIC    HYMNS  127 

Lord  of  Lords  in  very  surety, 

In  the   Body  and   the  Blood, 
He   will  give   to   all   the  Faithful 

His  O'wn  Self  for  Heavenly  Food." 

Ave,    Verum 

''  U"  AIL,  true  Body,  born  of  Mary; 
"'-  -*-     Spotless  Virgin's  virgin  birth ; 
Thou  Who  truly  hangest  weary 

On  the  Cross  for  sons  of  earth; 
Thou  whose  Sacred  Side  was  riven, 

Whence  the  Water  flowed  and  Blood, 
O  Mayst  Thou,  dear  Lord  be  given 

At  death's  hour  to  be  my  Food. 
O  most  Kind,  O  Gracious  One ! 
O  sweetest  Jesu,  Mary's  Son." 

^^TESUS,  in  Thy  dear   Sacrament 

J        Thy  Cross  I  cannot  see, 
But  the  Crucified  is  offered  there. 
And  He  was  slain   for  me. 

JesuSj  in  Thy  dear  Sacrament 

Thy  Flesh  I  cannot  see, 
But  that  Flesh  is  given  to  be  our  Food, 

And  It  was  scourged  for  me. 

Jesus,  in  Thy  dear  Sacrament 

The  Blood  I  cannot  see. 
But  the  chalice  glows  with  those  red  drops 

On  Calvary  shed  for  me. 

Jesus,  in  Thy  dear  Sacrament 

Thy  Face  I  cannot  see. 
But  the  Angels  there  behold  that  Brow 

Thorn-crowned  for  love  for  me. 


128  THE    PRACTICE    OP    RELIGION 

Jesus,  in  Thy  dear  Sacrament 

Thy  Heart  I  cannot  see, 
But  that  loving  Heart  is  prisoned  there, 

And  it  was  pierced  for  me. 

Jesus,  my  Maker  and  my  God, 
Thy  Godhead  none  may  see, 

But  Thou  art  here  present,  God  and  Man 
In  Thy  Sacrament  with  me." 


ADORATION   AND   INTERCESSION  TO 

CHRIST  IN  THE  BLESSED 

SACRAMENT 

O  SAVIOUR  of  the  world,  Our  Lord  and 
Master  Jesus  Christ,  Lover  of  Souls 
and  King  of  Saints,  we  adore  Thee  Present 
in  the  Blessed  Sacrament  of  the  Altar,  and 
we  pray  Thee  to  intercede  for  us,  pleading 
the  virtue  of  Thy  Holy  Life  and  Death. 

We  adore  Thee  in  the  Mystery  of  the  Incar- 
nation, dwelling  in  all  the  splendour  of  the 
Heavenly  Places,  and  worshipped  by  Saints 
and  Angels  as  God  of  God,  Light  of  Light. 
Very  God  of  Very  God,  but  on  earth  veiling  Thy 
Glory  as  God  made  Man,  even  as  in  the  Holy 
Communion  Thou  art  hidden  beneath  the  ele- 
ments of   Bread  and  Wine. 

We  adore  Thee  in  Thy  Holy  Nativity, 
lying  as  a  helpless  Babe  upon  the  straw  or 
asleep  in  the  Virgin's  arms,  but  ruling  all 
things  as  Almighty  God.  And  as  Saint  Mary 
and  Saint  Joseph,  the  Shepherds  and  the  Wise 
Men  and  all  the  Heavenly  Host  worshipped 
Thee    in    Thy    Manger    Throne    as   the    Only 


ADORATION    OF    CHRIST  I29 

Begotten  of  the  Father,  so  we  bend  in  loving 
adoration  before  Thee  now,  enthroned  in  the 
Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Altar. 

We  adore  Thee  in  Thy  Holy  Life:  in  Thy 
Home  at  Nazareth,  in  Thy  Ministry  among 
men,  reviled  and  persecuted,  weary,  hungry 
and  faint,  often  with  no  place  in  which  to 
lay  Thy  Head,  tempted  in  all  points  as  we  are 
and  like  unto  us  in  all  things,  yet  without  sin. 
And  we  pray  Thee  grant  us  grace  to  follow 
Thy  blessed  example,  pleasing  not  ourselves, 
going  about  doing  good,  and  bearing  our  Cross 
after  Thee,  Our  Lord  and  Master,  Our 
Saviour  and  King,  despised  and  rejected 
among  men  but  the  very  Light  of  the  world 
Whom  we  here  acknowledge  in  the  Blessed 
Sacrament. 

We  adore  Thee  in  Thy  Death  and  Passion, 
in  Thine  Agony  in  the  Garden,  in  Thy  bitter 
trials  before  Annas,  Caiaphas,  Herod  and 
Pilate,  on  the  Way  of  Sorrows,  and  on  the 
Cross  of  Calvary.  And  we  worship  Thee, 
Our  Most  Holy  Redeemer,  covered  with 
blood,  dust  and  spittle,  in  all  Thy  pain  and 
humiliation.  Who  didst  patiently  suffer  all 
things  for  "us  men  and  for  our  salvation," 
Who  couldst  have  had  legions  of  Angels  at 
Thy  side.  And  we  pray  Thee,  that  we  may 
be  washed  in  Thy  Precious  Blood  and  receive 
to  ourselves  the  pardon  won  for  us,  as  we 
plead  the  Memorial  of  Thy  Death  and  Pas- 
sion in  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Altar  and 
feed  on  Thee,  the  Lamb  of  God  that  takest 
away  the  sins  of  the  world,  as  Thou  givest 
Thy  Body  and  Blood  unto  Everlasting  Life. 


130  THE    PRACTICE    OF   RELIGION 

We  adore  Thee,  Our  Risen  and  Ascended 
Lord,  Who  didst  conquer  sin  and  the  grave, 
Who  didst  rise  again  from  the  dead  and  take 
Thy  Glorified  Human  Nature  to  the  Highest 
place  of  Sovereignty  and  Honour  at  the  Right 
Hand  side  of  God.  And  we  pray  Thee  that  we 
may  rise  from  our  sins  and  ascend  to  lead  a 
better  life,  seeking  the  things  which  are  above 
and  preparing  for  that  wonderful  life  here- 
after, when  we  hope  to  see  Thee  face  to  face, 
by  approaching  Thee  here  in  earth  in  the 
Sacramental  Feast. 

O  SAVIOUR  of  the  world,  may  we  ever 
adore  Thee  more  and  more,  and  never 
requite  Thy  love  for  us  by  coldness,  careless- 
ness or  wrong-doing.  May  we  wholly  give 
ourselves  to  Thee,  Who  wast  all  nailed  to  the 
Cross  for  us.  May  we  burn  with  the  fire  of 
love,  the  ardour  of  devotion,  the  fervour  of 
zeal,  adoring,  glorifying  and  following  Thee 
so  that  we  may  truly  "  see  light  in  the  Face 
of  Jesus  Christ."  As  God  may  we  worship 
Thee,  as  Man  may  we  copy  Thee,  as  Both 
may  we  be  united  with  Thee  in  the  Most 
Comfortable  Sacrament  of  Thy  Body  and 
Blood,  the  very  joy  of  existence  here,  the  very 
promise  of  life  hereafter. 

GLORY,  Honour,  Praise  and  Worship  be 
to  Thee  forevermore,  Who  with  the 
Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  art  One  God, 
world  without  end.     Amen. 


I    DIED    CN    THE    CROSS    FOR    THEE: 
WHAT    HAST    THOU    DONE    FOR    ME?' 


VI 

PENITENTIAL  PRAYERS 

(It  is  helpful  to  say  certain  "  devotions  "  as  acts  of  sorrow 
for  sin ;  such  as  the  Seven  Penitential  Psalms  (vi. ,  xxxii., 
xxxviii.,  li.,  cii.,  cxxx.,  cxliii.),  the  Litany,  or  Peniten- 
tial Office  in  the  Prayer  Book,  or  the  following:) 

I 

I  HAVE  sinned,  O  Lord,  against  Thee  and 
in  Thy  sight.  My  many  offences  cry  for 
judgment  against  me;  yet,  O  Lord,  Thou  hast 
promised  that  where  sin  hath  abounded  Grace 
shall  yet  more  abound.  And  Thy  promise  bids 
me  not  despair,  for  he  who  despairs  of  pardon 
denies  Thee  to  be  a  God  of  mercy.  The  mul- 
titude of  my  sins  abaseth  me  to  the  dust,  but 
the  thought  of  Thy  Passion  raiseth  me ;  the 
nails  and  spear  cry  aloud  that  Thou  hast 
reconciled  me  by  Thy  Blood.  The  soldier 
opened  Thy  wounded  Side,  wherein,  as  in  a 
cleft  of  the  Rock  of  Ages,  I  hide  myself  from 
the  foe  and  rest  secure.  Thou  inclinest  Thine 
Head,  O  Crucified  Saviour,  even  in  death  as 
if  to  greet  me ;  Thou  openest  Thine  Arms  as 
if  to  embrace  me.  In  that  embrace  I  am  will- 
ing to  live,  and  in  it  I  do  long  to  die.  Amen. 
{St.  Augustine.) 

OLORD,  help  us  to  turn  and  seek  Thee ; 
for  Thou  hast  not  forsaken  us  Thy 
creatures  as  we  have  forsaken  Thee,  Our 
Creator.     Make  us   to  turn   and   seek  Thee, 

131 


132  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

for  we  know  that  Thou  art  here  in  our  hearts 
when  we  confess  to  Thee,  when  we  cast  our- 
selves upon  Thee,  when  we  weep  in  Thy 
Bosom.     (St.  Augustine.) 


OGOD,  The  Light  of  every  heart  that  sees 
Thee,  the  Life  of  every  soul  that  loves 
Thee,  the  Strength  of  every  mind  that  seeks 
Thee,  grant  me  ever  to  continue  steadfast  in 
Thy  Holy  Love.  ...  To  Thee  therefore  I 
humbly  cry,  pleading  that  Thou  wilt  cleanse 
me  from  my  secret  faults,  and  keep  Thy  ser- 
vant from  presumptuous  sins,  so  that  they  may 
never  get  dominion  over  me.  Amen.  (St. 
Augustine.) 


SHOW  me  Thy  mercy,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  a 
sheep  that  is  gone  astray.  O  Good  Shep- 
herd, seek  me  out  and  bring  me  home  again  to 
Thy  fold.  Deal  favourably  with  me  according 
to  Thy  good  pleasure,  that  I  may  dwell  in 
Thine  house  all  the  days  of  my  life  and  praise 
Thee  for  ever  and  ever  with  them  that  are 
there.    Amen.     (St.  Jerome.) 


OMOST  High  and  Gracious  Lover  of  men, 
to  Thee  I  confess  all  my  sins,  whatso- 
ever and  howsoever  committed,  from  the  hour 
when  I  first  could  sin  up  to  this  hour  in  which 
by  Thy  mercy  Thou  still  sufferest  me  to  live. 
.  .  .  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Lord,  who  cry 
unto  Thee ;  let  the  voice  of  faith  weeping 
unto  Thee  move  Thy  Love ;  and  let  that 
mercy,  in  which  alone  I  hope,  forbid  Thee  to 


PENITENTIAL    PRAYERS  133 

be  extreme  to  mark  what  is  done  amiss,  .  .  , 
O  free  Thou  me  from  all  evils,  and  bring  me 
to  Life  Everlasting.     Amen.     (St.  Anselm.) 


OLORD,  I  offer  unto  Thee  all  my  sins  and 
offences  which  I  have  committed  in  Thy 
sight  .  .  .  that  Thou  mayest  burn  and  con- 
sume them  all  with  the  fire  of  Thy  love,  that 
Thou  mayest  wipe  away  every  stain  and 
cleanse  my  conscience  from  every  fault,  that 
Thou  mayest  restore  to  me  Thy  Grace,  which 
I  have  lost  by  my  sin,  by  fully  pardoning  and 
receiving  me  in  Thy  mercy.  O  Lord,  my  God, 
depart  not  far  from  me ;  O  look  upon  me  and 
help  me,  for  this  is  my  hope  and  my  one  cooi- 
solation,  to  fly  to  Thee  in  every  tribulation,  to 
trust  in  Thee,  to  call  upon  Thee  from  my 
heart  and  patiently  to  await  Thy  comfort.  O 
Good  Jesus,  enlighten  me,  I  beseech  Thee, 
with  Thy  brightness,  and  cast  out  all  darkness 
from  the  dwelling  of  my  heart.  Amen. 
(St.  Thomas  a  Kempis.) 

OGOD,  prostrate  before  the  Cross,  we 
kneel  as  suppliants,  sorrowing  for  our 
sin.  We  are  unworthy  to  raise  so  much  as 
our  eyes  unto  Thee.  Yet  Thou  art  our  Most 
Loving  Father,  and  art  more  ready  to  hear 
than  we  to  pray.  Therefore,  O  Lord,  behold 
us  in  mercy,  as  we  abase  ourselves  in  the  dust, 
as  we  bow  before  the  Cross,  as  we  plead  the 
Passion  of  Thy  Dear  Son.  Send  us  not  empty 
away,  but  for  His  sake  hearken  to  our  prayer ; 
raise  us  from  our  sin  and  renew  us  with  Thy 
Grace,  that  we  may  henceforth  live  to  Thine 


134  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

Honour  and  Glory,  and  in  the  world  to  come 
hymn  Thy  praises  with  all  the  heavenly  host 
unto  the  ages  of  ages.     Amen. 


O  FATHER  of  mercies,  I  beseech  Thy 
Fatherly  loving  kindness,  despise  me 
not ;  but  rather  regard  me  as  Thou  didst  regard 
Magdalen  at  the  feast,  Peter  in  the  hall,  the 
thief  on  the  Cross;  that  with  Peter  I  may 
bitterly  weep,  with  the  thief  I  may  confess, 
with  the  Magdalen  may  love,  yea,  love  much 
since  I  have  so  many  sins  to  be  forgiven. 
Spare  me,  O  Lord,  spare  me,  a  penitent,  at 
least  desiring  to  be  a  penitent  and  preparing 
thereto,  recollecting  my  sins  with  grief,  indig- 
nant with  myself  concerning  them,  and  laying 
hold  of  Thy  Most  Bitter  Passion.  Spare  me, 
O  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me,  because  it  is 
not  difficult  to  Thy  Power,  not  unbefitting 
Thy  Justice,  nor  unusual  to  Thy  Goodness. 
(From  Bishop  Andrewes.) 


II 

Short  Litany  of  Penitence. 

OGOD  the  Father  of  Heaven: 
Have  mercy  upon  us,  miserable  sinners. 
O  God  the  Son,  Redeemer  of  the  World: 
Have  mercy  upon  us,  miserable  sinners. 
O  God,  the  Holy  Ghost,  Proceeding  from  the 
Father  and  the  Son  : 
Have  mercy  upon  us,  miserable  sinners. 
O  Holy,  Blessed,  and  Glorious  Trinity,  Three 
Persons  and  One  God: 
Have  mercy  upon  us,  miserable  sinners. 


LITANY    OF    PENITENCE  I35 

Remember    not,    Lord,    our    offences    nor    the 
offences  of  our  forefathers :  neither  take 
Thou   vengeance   of   our   sins :    Spare   us, 
Good  Lord,  spare  Thy  people,  whom  Thou 
hast   redeemed   with  Thy   Most   Precious 
Blood,  and  be  not  angry  with  us  for  ever : 
Spare  us,  Good  Lord. 
From  the  deceits  of  the  world,  the  flesh,  and 
the  devil : 
Good  Lord,  Deliver  us. 
From  the  just  reward  of  our  sins: 

Good  Lord,  Deliver  us. 
From  everlasting  damnation : 

Good  Lord,  Deliver  us. 
By  Thy  Holy  Incarnation : 

Good  Lord,  Deliver  us. 
By  Thine  Agony  in  the  Garden: 

Good  Lord,  Deliver  us. 
By  Thy  Suffering  and  Humiliation: 

Good  Lord,  Deliver  us. 
By  Thy  Bitter  Cross  and  Passion: 

Good  Lord,  Deliver  us. 
By  Thy  Holy  Life  and  Death : 

Good  Lord,  Deliver  us. 
By  Thy  Glorious  Resurrection  and  Ascension: 

Good  Lord,  Deliver  us. 
By  Thy  Perpetual  Intercession : 

Good  Lord,  Deliver  us. 
By  the  Blessed  Sacrament  of  Thy  Body  and 
Blood : 
Good  Lord,  deliver  us. 

That  it  may  please  Thee  to  bring  us  to  sincere 

repentance : 
IVe  beseech  Thee  to  hear  us,  Good  Lord. 
That  it  may  please  Thee  to  cleanse  us  from  all 

unrighteousness : 


136  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

We  beseech  Thee  to  hear  us,  Good  Lord. 
That  it  may  please  Thee  to  renew  Thy  Grace 
within    us : 
We  beseech  Thee  to  hear  us,  Good  Lord. 
That  it  may  please  Thee  to  deliver  us  from  all 
evil : 
We  beseech  Thee  to  hear  us,  Good  Lord. 
That  it  may  please  Thee  to  lead  us  to  true 
holiness : 
We  beseech  Thee  to  hear  us,  Good  Lord. 
That  it  may  please  Thee  to  bring  us  to  Ever- 
lasting Life: 
We  beseech  Thee  to  hear  us,  Good  Lord. 

Son  of  God  ;  we  beseech  Thee  to  hear  us. 
O  Lamb  of  God,  Who  takest  away  the  sins  of 
the  world : 
Have  mercy  upon  us. 
O  Lamb  of  God,  Who  takest  away  the  sins  of 
the  world: 
Have  mercy  upon  us. 
O  Lamb  of  God,  Who  takest  away  the  sins  of 
the  world : 
Grant  us  Thy  peace. 
O  Christ,  hear  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 


O 


UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 


O  Saviour  of  the  World,  Who  by  Thy  Cross 
and  Precious  Blood  hast  redeemed  us : 
Save   us  and   help   us,   zve   humbly   beseech 
Thee,  O  Lord. 


LITANY    OF    PENITENCE  I3'7 

O  God,  I  believe  in  Thee,  I  hope  in  Thee,  and 
I  love  Thee,  and  I  grieve  that  I  have  so 
often  offended  Thee  by  my  sins. 

O   Lord,   deal   not  with  us   according  to   our 
sins; 
Neither  reward  us  according  to  our  iniqui- 
ties. 
O  Lord,  let  Thy  mercy  be  shown  upon  us : 

As  we  do  put  our  trust  in   Thee. 
Let  us  depart  in  peace : 
In  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  Amen. 


(Written  on  a  Wayside  Crucifix  in  Italy.) 

O  BLESSED  Feet  of  Jesus 
Weary  with  seeking  me ! 
Stand  at  God's  bar  of  judgment 
And  intercede  for  me. 

O  Hands  that  were  extended 

Upon  that  awful  Tree! 
Hold  up  those  precious  nail  prints 

Which  intercede  for  me. 

OSide  from  whence  the  spear  point 
Brought    Blood    and    Water    free! 

For  healing  and  for  cleansing 
Still  intercede  for  me. 

O  Head  so  deeply  pierced 
With  Thorns  which  sharpest  be ! 

Bend  low  before  Thy  Father 
And  intercede  for  me. 


138  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

O  Sacred  Heart!     Such  sorrows 

The  world  may  never  see, 
As  those  which  gave  Thee  warrant 

To  intercede  for  me! 

O   wholly   scarred   and   wounded 

My  Sacrifice  to  be ! 
Present  Thy  Perfect  Offering 

And  intercede  for  me. 

O  Loving,  Risen  Saviour 

From  death  and  sorrow  free ! 

Though  Throned  in  endless  Glory 
Still  intercede  for  me. 

IV 

<« /CHRISTIAN!  seek  not  yet  repose, 

VJ     Hear   thy   guardian   angel   say : 
Thou  art  in  the  midst  of  foes, 

'  Watch  and  pray.' 

Gird  thy  heavenly  armour  on, 

Wear  it  ever  night  and  day; 
Ambushed  lies  the  evil  one : 

*  Watch  and  pray.* 

Hear  the  victors  who  o'ercame. 

Still   they  mark  each  warrior's  way; 
All  with  one  sweet  voice  exclaim, 

'  Watch  and  pray.' 

Hear  above  all,  hear  Thy  Lord, 

Him  thou  lovest  to  obey : 
Hide  within  thy  heart  His  Word, 

*  Watch  and  pray.'  " 


'and   JESUS   BEARING    HIS    CROSS 
WENT    FORTH.'' 


VII 
THE  WAY  OF  THE  CROSS 

{This  Service  is  a  reminder  of  the  days  when  Christians 
went  on  Pilgrimages  to  the  Holy  Land  to  honour  the 
places  associated  with  Our  Lord's  Passion.  Later 
wlien  Pilgrimages  could  no  longer  be  safely  made,  Pic- 
tures were  hung  in  the  Churches  and  devotions  were 
tnade  before  them.  From  this  arose  the  Service:  ''The 
Way  of  the  Cross,"  the  object  of  which  (like  "The  Three 
Hours'  Service"  on  Good  Friday)  is,  by  picturing  the 
Passion,  to  deepen  our  Faith,  Love  and  Repentance, 
make  us  realize  Our  Lord's  Sufferings  and  arouse  our 
devotion  to  the  Saviour.) 

IN  the  Name  4*  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 

{Some  verses  of  a  Hytnn  are  generally  sung  before  each 
"  Station."  Suitable  Hymns  are  103  and  106.  Addi- 
tional devotions  may  also  be  used,  if  desired.) 

GRANT,  we  beseech  Thee,  Almighty  God, 
that  we  may  now  in  spirit  follow  Our 
Lord  along  the  Way  of  Sorrows,  and  seeing 
His  sufferings  may  be  filled  with  true  Faith, 
Love,  and  Repentance,  and  obtain  the  remis- 
sion of  our  sins,  through  Jesus  Christ,  Our 
Lord.    Amen. 

LET  us  go  forth: 
■^    To    follow    Jesus    along    the    Way    of 
Sorrows. 

{Before  each  Station  say: ) 

We  adore  Thee,  O  Christ,  and  we  bless  Thee. 
Because  by  Thy  Holy  Cross,  Thou  hast 
redeemed   the  world. 

139 


I40  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

(After  each  Station  say:) 

/~\  MY  God,  I  believe  in  Thee,  I  hope  in 
^^  Thee,  and  I  love  Thee,  and  I  grieve 
that  I  have  so  often  offended  Thee  by  my  sins, 
and  I  resolve  henceforth  by  Thy  grace  and 
mercy  to  lead  a  better  life. 


O 


UR  Father,  etc. 


Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 


O 


SAVIOUR   of  the  World,   etc. 


1.  Jesus  is  Condemned  to  Death. 

LEAVING  the  house  of  Caiaphas,  where 
-^  He  had  been  blasphemed,  and  the  house 
of  Herod,  where  He  had  been  mocked,  Jesus 
is  dragged  before  Pilate.  His  Sacred  Body  is 
torn  with  scourging;  His  Sacred  Brows  are 
crowned  with  thorns,  and  He  who  at  the  Last 
Day  will  judge  the  living  and  the  dead  is  con- 
demned to  a  shameful  death. 

OLORD  JESU  !  It  was  for  our  sins  that 
Thou  didst  suffer :  it  was  for  us  that 
Thou  wast  condemned  to  die  !  O  grant  that 
this  thought  may  so  touch  our  hearts  that  we 
may  hate  our  sins,  and  by  our  repentance 
obtain  Thy  mercy  and  pardon.     Amen. 

(Devotions  as  set  forth  on  page  140.) 


THE    WAY    OF    THE    CROSS  14I 


II.  Jesus  Receives  the  Cross. 

A  HEAVY  Cross  is  laid  upon  the  bruised 
shoulders  of  Jesus.  He  receives  it  with 
meek  submission,  even  with  secret  joy,  for  it 
is  the  instrument  with  which  He  will  redeem 
the  world. 

OLORD  JESU !  Thou  didst  bear  the  Cross 
for  us  !  Yet  how  sorely  we  fight  against 
our  crosses,  while  Thou  didst  suffer  all  things 
for  us !  O  grant  that  henceforth  we  may  ever 
take  up  our  cross  and  follow  Thee,  meekly 
and  cheerfully  bearing  all  the  trials  and  diffi- 
culties of  this  earthly  life.  Amen. 
{Devotions  as  before.) 


III.   Jesus    Falls   Under  the   Weight 
OF  the  Cross. 

BOWED  beneath  the  weight  of  the  Cross, 
Jesus  sets  forth  along  the  Way  of  Sor- 
rows, amidst  the  mockings  and  insults  of  the 
crowd.  He  is  weak  from  the  Agony  in  the 
Garden.  His  Body  is  covered  with  Blood  and 
Wounds.  His  strength  fails  Him.  Jesus  falls 
to  the  ground  under  the  weight  of  the  Cross. 

OLORD  JESU!  For  us  didst  Thou  go 
along  the  Way  of  Sorrows,  and  didst 
fall  beneath  the  weight  of  the  Cross ;  O  may 
the  thought  of  Thy  shame  and  suffering  make 
us  watchful  against  temptation,  and  save  us 
lest  we  fall  into  grievous  sin.  Amen. 
{Devotions  as  before.) 


142  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

IV.  Jesus  Meets  the  Virgin  Mother. 

STILL  carrying  the  Cross,  Jesus  proceeds 
^  on  the  way  to  Calvary.  He  meets  the 
Virgin  Mother,  whose  love  for  her  Divine 
Son  brings  her  to  His  Side  in  that  hour  olf 
trial. 

OLORD  JESU!  May  we  like  Thee  ever 
love  Thy  holy  Mother  and  like  the 
Blessed  Virgin  may  we  love  Thee  above  all 
things  and  never  separate  ourselves  from 
Thee.    Amen. 

{Devotions  as  before.) 


V.  The  Cross  is  Laid  on  Simon  of  Cyrene. 

THE  strength  of  Jesus  fails;  He  is  unable 
to  proceed.  The  soldiers  seize  Simon 
of  Cyrene  and  compel  him  to  carry  the  Cross 
after  Jesus.  That  sacred  burden  changed 
Simon's  heart,  and  the  forced  task  became  a 
holy  joy. 

OLORD  JESU!  For  us  didst  Thou 
suffer!  O  may  we  rejoice  when  Thou 
dost  offer  us  Thy  Cross  to  bear  and  permit 
us  to  suffer  with  Thee.  May  we  count  it  a 
privilege  and  glory  in  Thy  Cross,  that  by  it 
the  world  may  be  crucified  unto  us  and  we 
unto  the  world.  May  we  never  shrink  from 
suffering,  but  rejoice  if  we  are  counted 
worthy  to  suffer  for  Thy  Name's  Sake. 
Amen. 

(Devotions  as  before.) 


THE    WAY    OF    THE    CROSS  I43 


VI.  Veronica   Wipes    Our   Lord's    Face. 

THE  Face  of  Jesus  is  covered  with  Blood 
from  the  Agony  and  the  Passion.  In 
love  and  compassion  a  holy  woman  named 
Veronica  wiped  His  Sacred  Face  with  a  linen 
cloth  and  adored  her  Master. 

r\  LORD  JESU  !  May  we  too  show  our  love 
^^  for  Thee,  by  our  devotion  to  Thy  Cross 
and  Passion,  that  looking  now  upon  Thy 
Thorn-crowned  Brow,  we  may  hereafter  see 
Thy  Beautiful  Face  in  Thy  Glory  in  Heaven. 
Amen. 

(Devotions  as  before.) 


VII.  Jesus  Falls  the  Second  Time. 

WEAKENED  by  Suffering  and  Fasting, 
Jesus  again  falls  beneath  the  Cross,  in- 
creasing the  agony  of  His  bruised  and 
wounded   Body. 


0L9RD  JESU!  Thou  didst  fall  carry- 
ing Thy  Cross  to  win  our  Salvation, 
while  we  oft  have  fallen  by  our  sins.  O ! 
Grant  that  by  Thy  merits  and  mediation  we 
may  hereafter  persevere  in  well  doing,  loving 
Thee  above  all  things.    Amen. 

{Devotions  as  before.) 


144  THE    PRACTICE    OP   RELIGION 


VIII.  The  Women  of  Jerusalem  Mourn  for 
Our   Lord. 

AT  the  sight  of  the  sufferings  of  Jesus, 
•^~^  some  holy  women  who  were  following 
to  Calvary  were  so  touched  with  sympathy 
and  compassion  that  they  openly  mourned  and 
lamented  Him.  Jesus,  knowing  the  things 
that  were  to  come  to  pass  on  account  of  the 
rejection  of  Him,  said,  "Daughters  of  Jeru- 
salem, weep  not  for  Me,  but  weep  for  your- 
selves and  for  your  children." 

OLORD  JESU!  For  us  was  all  Thy 
Passion !  O  make  us  to  mourn  for 
Thee  and  for  ourselves ;  for  Thy  sufferings 
and  for  our  sins  which  caused  them.  Teach 
us  so  to  sorrow  for  our  sins  in  real  repent- 
ance that  we  may  escape  the  dreadful  judg- 
ments for  those  who  reject  Thee.    Amen. 

{Devotions  as  before.) 


IX.  Jesus   Falls  the  Third  Time. 

OUR  Lord  is  weak  and  worn  with  suffering, 
His  cruel  executioners  try  to  hasten  His 
steps.  Again  Jesus  falls  to  the  ground,  His 
strength  exhausted. 

OLORD  JESU!   Help  us  to  hate  the  sin 
that  made  Thee  suffer.     O  give  us  grace 
nevermore    to    oft'end    Thee    by    falling    into 
mortal  sin  but  let  us  by  Thy  Bitter  Passion 
learn  to  love  and  follow  Thee ! 
{Devotions  as  before.) 


THE    WAY    OF    THE    CROSS  I45 

X.  Jesus  is  Stripped  of  His  Garments. 

ARRIVED  at  last  at  Calvary,  the  place  oi 
sacrifice,  the  soldiers  prepare  to  crucify 
Jesus.  His  garments  are  stripped  from  His 
bruised  and  bleeding  Body  and  He,  the  Holy 
One,  stands  exposed  to  the  sight  of  the  rude 
and  scoffing  multitude. 

OLORD  JESU!  Thou  wast  stripped  and 
didst  endure  this  shame  to  reprove  our 
pride  and  sin !  Strip  us  now,  we  beseech 
Thee,  of  all  false  shame  together  with  all 
wickedness  and  worldliness,  and  make  us  so 
to  humble  ourselves  now  that  we  may  escape 
judgment  in  the  world  to  come.  Amen. 
{Devotions  as  before.) 

XL  Jesus   is   Nailed  to  the   Cross. 

THE  Cross  is  laid  on  the  ground.  The 
soldiers  take  nails  and  hammers  in  hand. 
Jesus  stretches  Himself  upon  the  Cross,  at 
one  and  the  same  time  ofifering  His  Bruised 
Limbs  to  God  in  behalf  of  sinful  man  and  to 
His  executioners  to  be  nailed  to  the  Tree  of 
Shame.  The  blows  are  struck ;  the  Precious 
Blood  streams  forth:  Jesus  Christ  is  cruci- 
fied. 

OLORD  JESU!  Thou  art  nailed  for  us! 
Thou  art  crucified  for  man !  O  subdue 
in  us  all  that  is  evil  and  fill  us  with  holy  fear 
and  adoring  love,  and  since  our  sins  didst 
drive  the  nails  through  Thy  Sacred  Hands 
and  Feet,  grant  us  by  godly  sorrow  to  pierce 
those  sins  and  fasten  them  to  the  Cross. 
Amen.  {Devotions  as  before.) 


146  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

XII.  Jesus  Dies  on  the  Cross. 

FOR  hours  Jesus  has  hung  on  the  Cross, 
for  three  hours  in  darkness.  His  Pierced 
Hands  are  torn  with  the  weight  of  His  Body. 
His  Brows  are  crowned  with  the  sharp  thorns. 
His  Blood  has  stained  the  Cross  and  bedewed 
the  ground.  Yet  in  the  midst  of  His  agony 
and  suffering  Jesus  has  prayed  for  His  mur- 
derers, has  pardoned  the  penitent  Thief,  and 
has  committed  the  Virgin  Mother  to  Saint 
John.  All  is  finished,  and  with  a  great  cry  of 
Triumphant  Joy,  Jesus  commends  Himself 
unto  the  Father  and,  meekly  bowing  His 
Head,  gives  up  the  ghost. 

OLORD  JESU!  Thou  didst  suffer  and 
die  for  us !  O  make  us  to  love  Thy 
holy  Cross,  the  means  of  our  salvation.  In 
Thy  Atoning  Death  is  all  our  hope.  Hence- 
forth let  us  live  only  unto  Thee,  so  that  in 
life  and  death  we  may  be  Thine,  loving  Thee, 
as  Our  Lord  and  Master,  Our  King  and 
Saviour.    Amen. 

(Devotions  as  before.) 

XIII.  Jesus  is  Taken  Down  from  the  Cross, 

THE  crowds  have  fled  from  Calvary  in  fear 
and  remorse.  Only  one  loving  group 
remains  at  the  foot  of  the  Cross.  Joseph  of 
Arimathea  goes  to  Pilate  and  begs  the  Body 
of  Jesus.  Very  reverently  Joseph  and  Nico- 
demus  take  the  Body  from  the  Cross  and  with 
the  Holy  Women  prepare  it  for  burial,  as  the 
sun  again  shines  in  the  sky  "  for  at  evening 
time  it  shall  be  light." 


THE   WAY    OF    THE    CROSS  I47 

OLORD  JESU!  Thou  didst  enter  the 
gate  of  death  that  we  may  enter  the 
way  of  life !  O  grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  that 
after  our  earthly  pilgrimage  is  over,  we  may 
rest  from  our  labours,  with  those  who  have 
finished  their  course  in  Thee.  Amen. 
{Devotions  as  before.) 


XIV.  Jesus  is  Laid  in  the  Sepulchre. 

THE  Body  of  Jesus  is  taken  from  the 
Virgin,  the  Mother  of  Sorrows,  and 
placed  in  the  new  tomb  in  which  never  man 
was  laid.  The  tomb  is  closed,  and  there  the 
Sacred  Body  of  Jesus  rested  until  the  hour  of 
its  Glorious  Resurrection  on  Easter  Morning. 

OLORD  JESU!  Thou  didst  accomplish 
all  things  necessary  for  us  men  and  our 
salvation !  We  too  will  die  when  and  where 
and  how  it  shall  please  Thee  Our  God.  Suf- 
fer us  not  in  the  hour  of  death  to  fall  from 
Thee,  but  "  let  Thy  Holy  Spirit_  lead  us 
through  this  vale  of  misery  in  holiness  and 
righteousness  all  the  days  of  our  lives :  that 
when  we  shall  have  served  Thee  in  our  gen- 
eration, we  may  be  gathered  unto  our  fathers, 
having  the  testimony  of  a  good  conscience,  in 
the  communion  of  the  Catholic  Church ;  in 
the  confidence  of  a  certain  faith,  in  the  com- 
fort of  a  reasonable,  religious,  and  holy  hope, 
in  favour  with  Thee  our  God,  and  in  perfect 
charity  with  the  world  " ;  all  of  which  we  ask 
through  Thy  Merits  and  Mediation.  Amen. 
{Devotions  as  before.) 


VIII 
MEDITATION 

IT  is  helpful  to  the  Spiritual  Life  to  practise 
frequent  Meditation.  This  can  be  done  by 
choosing  a  few  verses  of  Scripture,  or  some 
special  subjects  and  thinkmg  upon  them, 
asking  God  the  Holy  Ghost  to  guide  and 
enlighten  us. 

Some  fruitful  subjects  of  Meditation  are: 
The  Love  of  God  ;  the  Sacrifice  of  the  Cross ; 
the  Life  of  Jesus  ;  the  Awfulness  of  Sin ;  the 
Spiritual  Life ;  Prayer ;  Communion ;  Holi- 
ness ;  the  daily  cross;  sanctifying  work;  aim 
in  life;  God's  glory;  Faith,  Hope,  and 
Charity;  Death,  Judgment,  Heaven,  and  Hell; 
Cheerfulness  ;  Resignation  ;  Reverence  ;  Dan- 
ger of  Pride ;  Beauty  of  Humility ;  Uncertainty 
of  Life;    Self-sacrifice   and   Self-denial. 

The  following  short  Meditations  suitable 
for  certain  seasons  will  serve  as  a  model  for 
others : 

I. 

THE    HCLY    COMMUNION    AS    A    PREPARATION 
FOR    CHRIST. 

(Advent.) 

Who  comes f  Our  Lord,  Who  came  once  in 
humility,  Who  comes  now  in  Grace  and 
Who  will  come  at  the  Last  Day  in  Judg- 
ment. 

To   whom  does  He   come?     To   us   who   are 
sore  let  and  hindered  in  running  the  race 
that  is  set  before  us. 
148 


MEDITATIONS  I49 

Tor  what  does  He  come?  That  we  may  cast 
away  the  works  of  darkness  and  put  upon 
us  the  armour  of  light. 

Aspiration:    "Even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus." 

I.  Behold  Him  coming  in  the  Sacrament  to 
fit  us  for  His  coming  at  the  Last  Day. 

H.  Pray  that  a  holy  life  may  so  prepare  us 
for  death  that  we  will  await  His  coming 
with  joy. 

HL  Resolve  to  live  henceforth  to  His  Glory. 

II. 

THE   HOLY  COMMUNION   AS   A   SACRAMENT. 

(Christmas-Day.) 
Who  comes f      The  Word  made   Flesh,  Who 
dwelling   in   the    Glory    of    God    humbled 
Himself  to  be  Born  in  a  Manger. 

To  whom  does  He  come?  To  us  who  care 
for  earthly  things,  with  little  love  of  God. 

For  what  does  He  come?  To  dwell  with  us 
and  warm  our  cold  hearts. 

Aspiration:  "Let  us  now  go  even  unto  Beth- 
lehem  and  see  this  thing  which  is  come 
to  pass,  which  the  Lord  hath  made  known 
unto  us." 

I.  Behold  Him,  veiling  His  Glory  in  the 
Sacrament  of  the  Altar  as  He  did  in  the 
Manger  at  Bethlehem. 

II.  Pray  for  more  faith  to  love  and  adore 
that  Sacred  Presence. 

HI.  Resolve  to  greet  Jesus  saying,  "  Blessed 
is  He  that  cometh  in  the  Name  of  the 
Lord." 


150  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

III. 
THE  HOLY  COMMUNION  AS  UNION  WITH   CHRIST. 

(Lent  and  Holy  Week.) 
Who  comes?.     Our   Lord,   Who   fasted   forty 
days    and    forty    nights,    tempted    by    the 
Devil.     Who,   as   Man,  was  in  all  things 
like  unto  us,  yet  without  sin. 

To  whom  does  He  come?  To  us  who  need 
to  watch  and  pray  that  we  enter  not  into 
Temptation. 

For  what  does  He  come?  That  fasting  from 
the  world  we  may  feast  with  Him. 

Aspiration:  "My  soul  thirsteth  for  Thee,  my 
flesh  longeth  after  Thee,  in  a  barren  and 
dry  land  where  no  water  is." 

1.  Behold  Him  the  Bread  of  Life,  Who  by 
His  Death  and  Passion  won  our  salva- 
tion. 

n.  Pray  that  henceforth  we  may  approach 
with  love,  longing  and  adoration. 

HL  Resolve  to  watch  and  pray,  bearing  our 
Cross  after  Jesus. 

IV. 

THE     HOLY     COMMUNION     AS     THE     FORGIVENESS 

OF  SINS. 

(Easter.) 
Who  comes?    Jesus  Christ,  Who  rose  from 
the  dead,  the  "  very  Paschal  Lamb  which 
was  offered  for  us,  and  hath  taken  away 
the  sin  of  the  world." 

To  whom  does  He  come?  To  us  who  seek 
the  Saviour  that  He  may  say :  "  Depart 
in  peace,  thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee." 


MEDITATIONS  151 

For  what  does  He  come?  To  make  us  par- 
ticipate in  the  Redemption  He  hath  won 
by  His  Death  and  Passion. 

Aspiration:     "My  Lord  and  My  God.'* 

I.      Behold  Christ  the  Great  High  Priest,  as 

Risen  from  the  Dead,  He  says,  "  I  am  the 

Resurrection  and  the  Life." 
H.     Pray   that   we   may   rise   to   a   holier  life 

and  at  the  last  may  shine  as  the  stars  in 

Heaven. 
HL  Resolve   to   make   our   salvation   sure   by 

ever  seeking  His  Grace  in  the  Sacrament. 

V. 

THE   HOLY   COMMUNION   AS   OUR   LIFE. 

(Ascension.) 

Who  comes?  Our  Lord,  Who  Ascended  into 
Heaven  and  Sitteth  at  the  Right  Hand  of 
God  on  High. 

To  whom  does  He  come?  To  us,  whose  spir- 
itual life  needs  uplifting. 

For  zvhat  does  He  come?  That  as  He 
Ascended  into  the  Heavens,  so  we  in 
heart  and  mind  may  thither  ascend  and 
continually  dwell  with  Him. 

Aspiration:  "My  soul  hath  a  desire  and  long- 
ing to  enter  into  the  courts  of  the  Lord." 

L  Behold  Him  Who  Ascended  through  the 
choirs  of  Angels  as  they  sang :  "  Be  ye 
lift  up  ye  everlasting  doors,  and  the 
King  of  Glory  shall  come  in." 

IL  Pray  that  He  may  enter  the  gates  of  our 
souls  and  give  us  Eternal  Life. 


T52  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

III.  Resolve  to  let  the  Holy  Spirit  lead  us 
that  at  last  we  may  see  God's  Beautiful 
Face. 

VI. 
THE    HOLY    COMMUNION    AS    OUR    LIGHT. 

(Whitsunday.) 

Who  comes?  Christ,  The  Light  of  the 
World,  in  Whose  Name  the  Father  sent 
the  Holy  Ghost  on  Pentecost. 

To  whom  does  He  come?  To  us  who  dwell 
in  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death. 

For  what  does  He  come?  That  we  may  have 
a  right  judgment  in  all  things,  guided  by 
the  Holy  Spirit  of  God. 

Aspiration:  "Come  Holy  Ghost,  our  souls 
inspire:    And  lighten  with  celestial  fire." 

I.      Behold    Him    in    the    Glory    of    Heaven 

sending  His  Holy  Spirit  upon  us.  ^ 
H.     Pray  that  we  may  evermore  dwell  in  the 

light,  illumined  by  His  Brightness. 
HI.  Resolve  so   to  use  His   Grace   that  "we 

may    see    light    in    the    Face    of    Jesus 

Christ." 

VII. 
THE    HOLY   communion    AS    OUR   LOVE. 

(Trinity.) 

Who  comes?  Christ,  Who  said,  "God  is 
Love." 

To  whom  does  He  come?  To^  us  given  to 
uncharitable  thoughts,  who  little  love  God 
or  man. 


MEDITATIONS  153 

For  zvhat  does  He  come?  That  giving  us 
Himself,  Who  is  Love,  we  may  have  Grace 
to  acknowledge  the  Glory  of  the  Eternal 
Trinity,  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
Ghost,  and  dwell  in  the  love  of  God. 

Aspiration:  "Unto  Thee,  O  Lord,  will  I  lift 
up  my  soul." 

L  Behold  Jesus  holding  forth  His  Pierced 
Hands,  saying,  "Love  one  another." 

H.  Pray  to  love  God  with  all  our  heart  and 
mind  and  soul  and  strength. 

HL  Resolve  to  seek  this  Grace  in  the  Sac- 
rament and  to  live  in  love  and  charity 
with  all  men. 


ANOTHER   FORM   OF   MEDITATION. 

L  Picture  Jesus  :  in  His  Risen  Glory : 
with  the  Marks  of  the  Passion;  Stand- 
ing with  outstretched  Arms ;  longing 
for  our  Souls;  pleading  with  us;  knock- 
ing at  the  door  of  our  hearts, 
II.  Consider:  Ourselves,  sinful,  unworthy, 
worldly,  careless,  cold,  dead.  Alas ! 
Weary   and   heavy   laden   with    sin. 

III.  See  :    The  soul  doomed   without  Jesus  ; 
the    soul    saved  with    Jesus. 

IV.  Prayer:    O   Blessed   Master:   Thou  hast 

called  me,  a  sinner !  Let  me  turn  to 
Thee,  confess  to  Thee,  adore  Thee.  O  ! 
give  me  Pardon  and  Peace  in  Thee,  O 
My    Saviour ! 

(The  above  is  but  an  outline  which  can  be  greatly  ex- 
tended.) 


IX 

THE  SANCTIFICATION   OF   SICKNESS 

SICKNESS  in  varying  degree  is  the  lot  of 
all.  Sooner  or  later  God  sends  His  vis- 
itation for  His  Own  good  purpose.  It  is  there- 
fore wise  to  think  somewhat  of  illness  before 
it  comes.  Sickness  is  in  a  way  sacramental. 
That  is :  the  bodily  illness  may  be  made  the 
means  of  spiritual  improvement.  Sickness  is 
sent  us  by  Almighty  God,  sometimes  to  bring 
us  closer  to  Him  by  giving  us  "  fellowship  in 
Christ's  sufiferings,"  sometimes  to  punish  us 
for  sin  and  by  so  doing  bring  us  to  repentance, 
sometimes  to  detach  us  more  from  earthly 
things,  and  make  us  "  seek  the  things  which 
are  above." 

We  should  ever  remember  that  "the  Lord 
loveth  those  whom  He  chasteneth."  If  we 
rebel,  complain,  or  fret  under  sickness  we  put 
ourselves  in  direct  antagonism  to  God's  will, 
making  the  bodily  illness  harder  to  bear,  and 
missing  all  the  spiritual  benefit.  If,  however, 
we  are  resigned  and  cheerfully  submit  to  the 
visitations  of  God,  the  hours  of  sickness  and 
suffering  will  be  precious  ones,  where 
"  patience  will  have  its  perfect  work,"  and  the 
very  pain  we  have  to  bear  will  increase  in  us 
the  Love  of  God  and  the  desire  for  Holiness. 

Our  existence  here  has  been  called  "  the 
Mystery  of  Life."  It  is  but  the  first  stage  of 
that  endless  future.  Life  here  is  the  prepara- 
tion for  life  hereafter.  As  beings  endowed 
with  free  will  we  may  make  or  mar  our  life 
154 


HE    TOUCHETH    THE    CROSS,     AND 
MAKETH   IT    LIGHT." 


THE    SANCTIFICATION    OF    SICKNESS       155 

on  earth  and  so  win  the  just  reward  or  pun- 
ishment of  Heaven  or  Hell.  For  we  are  not 
left  unaided :  God's  Grace,  or  His  assisting 
Power,  is  given  to  us  to  guide,  illumine,  and 
strengthen  us  that  we  may  choose  the  right. 
This  Grace  comes  specially  through  the  Sac- 
raments, which  both  work  in  themselves  and 
call  for  a  fitting  response  and  co-operation 
from  those  receiving  them.  As  at  no  time  is 
one  more  susceptible  to  Divine  Influences  than 
when  ill,  it  can  be  seen  how  sickness  for  all 
its  pain  becomes  a  precious  privilege  and 
opportunity. 

But  to  use  sickness  rightly  needs  certain 
counsels  to  be  apprehended,  remembered,  and 
followed  out.  The  following  thoughts  may 
be  full  of  helpful  suggestions  to  those  who 
wish  to  grow  in  grace,  using  sickness  as  a 
means : 

I.  The  very  first  thing  to  do  is  to  offer  one's 
illness  to  God.  This  means  the  acknowledg- 
ing that  it  is  God's  will;  (2)  the  submission 
of  our  will  to  God's  will;  (3)  the  asking  God 
to  bless  the  illness  so  that  it  may  be  for  His 
glory  and  for  our  good.  This  offering  of  our 
illness  to  God  will  thus  practically  be  the  offer- 
ing of  ourselves  to  God  for  Him  to  use  as 
He  wills,  we  being  perfectly  resigned  to  that 
will,  whether  it  mean  our  life  or  our  death, 
our  speedy  recovery  or  our  continued  sickness. 

n.  There  should  be  the  examination  of  our 
conscience  and  our  confession  of  sins  to  God. 
There  is  great  difficulty  in  this  when  one  is 
very  ill.  The  thoroughness  will  vary  with  our 
condition,  and  in  some  cases  the  pain,  weak- 
ness, or  disease  prevents  more  than  a   mere 


156  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

glance  over  our  life  with  a  feeling  of  peni- 
tence. But  God  accepts  even  this  when  it  is 
all  we  can  do.  The  confession  is  best  made  to 
a  Priest  in  the  Sacrament  of  Penance. 

III.  There  should  be  prayer.  This  is  also 
very  hard  for  very  ill  persons.  They  may 
remember,  however,  for  their  comfort,  that 
illness  itself  is  a  kind  of  prayer.  The  desire 
to  pray  really  puts  one  in  the  attitude  of 
prayer  and  is  in  itself  spiritually  helpful. 
Two  very  easy  ways  for  a  sick  person  to 
follow  are  these:  (i)  Say  the  Lord's  Prayer 
with  intention,  that  is :  that  it  will  be  for 
all  that  we  would  pray;  (2)  to  have  a  Crucifix 
and  look  upon  it  with  devotion,  thus  in  a  way 
uniting  oneself  with   Christ's   Intercession. 

IV.  Send  for  the  Priest  and  receive  the 
Blessed  Sacrament  of  Our  Lord's  Body  and 
Blood.  The  Holy  Communion  is  both  a  com- 
fort to  the  soul  and  an  aid  to  the  body.  It  is 
both  a  help  to  recovery  and  a  preparation  for 
death,  and  is  of  inestimable  benefit.  And  the 
ministrations  of  the  clergy,  by  prayer  and 
counsel  and  sympathy,  should  be  both  sought 
and  valued.  It  is  to  be  desired  that  the  Scrip- 
tural injunction  and  Ancient  Practice  of 
Unction  for  the  sick  will  be  followed  by  those 
very  ilj,  for  St.  James  says :"  Let  them  pray 
over  him  anointing  him  with  oil  in  the  Name 
of  the  Lord." 

V.  When  convalescent,  the  time  should  be 
largely  used  by  making  Acts  of  Faith,  Love, 
Devotion,  Repentance,  and  Thanksgiving,  and 
also  Resolutions  to  lead  a  better  and  holier 
and  risen  life  when  well. 


THE    SANCTIFICATION    OF    SICKNESS       I57 

An  illness  thus  used  will  be  blessed  indeed. 
The  soul  will  be  purified  and  God's  Love  and 
Goodness  will  be  appreciated  as  never  before. 
We  will  realize  that  the  Cup  of  Suffering  held 
out  for  us  to  take  is  extended  by  Him  Who  is 
the  God  of  Love,  and  that  taking  all  as  from 
Him  and  trusting  in  Him  we  will  feel  that 
comforting  assurance  that  "  underneath  are 
the  Everlasting  Arms,"  that  Jesus  says,  "  My 
Grace  is  sufficient  for  thee."  And  in  all  our 
sickness  we  should  not  be  cross,  complaining, 
or  impatient,  but  be  patient  and  obedient, 
appreciating  all  that  is  done  for  us  by  doctors, 
nurses,  attendants,  or  friends,  smiling  in  our 
sufferings,  and  glorifying  God  throughout  by 
a  noble  example. 


PRAYERS  IN  SICKNESS. 

{The  Sick  Person  is  counselled  to  read  over  and 
follow  the  suggestions  made  in  the  preceding  chap- 
ter on  "The  Sanctiiication  of  Sickness,"  and  to  pre- 
pare for  Confession  and  Communion.  The  Sick  Per- 
son might  use  the  Visitation  Office  in  the  P.  B.  and 
Psalms  yi  and  91  when  ill,  and  103  upon  recovery  and 
any  other  Prayers  in  the  pages  to  follow.) 

IN  the  Name    >if  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 


O 


UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 


T  BELIEVE  in  God,  etc. 

Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,    have    mercy    upon    us. 

"D  EMEMBER  not,  Lord,  our  offences,  nor 
-■■^  the  offences  of  our  forefathers  ;  neither 
take  Thou  vengeance  of  our  sins :  Spare  us, 
good  Lord,  spare  Thy  people,  whom  Thou  hast 
redeemed  with  Thy  most  Precious  Blood,  and 
be  not  angry  with  us  for  ever. 

A  LMIGHTY  and  most  merciful  God  and 
-^^  Saviour,  extend  Thy  accustomed  good- 
ness to  me,  Thy  humble  servant,  grieved  with 
sickness.  Santify,  I  beseech  Thee,  this  Thy 
Fatherly  correction  to  me;  that  the  sense  of 
my  weakness  may  add  strength  to  my  faith, 
and  seriousness  to  my  repentance :  that,  if  it 
shall  be  Thy  good  ^pleasure  to  restore  me  to 

J58 


PRAYERS    IN    SICKNESS  159 

my  former  health,  I  may  lead  the  residue  of 
my  life  in  Thy  fear,  and  to  Thy  glory:  or 
else,  give  me  grace  so  to  take  Thy  visitation, 
that,  after  this  painful  life  ended,  I  may  dwell 
with  Thee  in  life  everlasting;  through  Jesus 
Christ,  Our  Lord..   Amen. 


O  SAVIOUR  of  the  world,  Who  by  Thy 
Cross  and  Precious  Blood  hast  redeemed 
us,  save  us  and  help  us,  we  humbly  beseech 
Thee,  O  Lord. 


OGOD,  Whose  days  are  without  end,  and 
Whose  mercies  cannot  be  numbered ; 
Make  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  deeply  sensible  of 
the  shortness  and  uncertainty  of  human  life ; 
and  let  Thy  Holy  Spirit  lead  us  through  this 
vale  of  misery,  in  holiness  and  righteousness, 
all  the  days  of  our  lives :  that,  when  we  shall 
have  served  Thee  in  our  generation,  we  may 
be  gathered  unto  our  fathers,  having  the  tes- 
timony of  a  good  conscience ;  in  the  com- 
munion of  the  Catholic  Church ;  in  the  con- 
fidence of  a  certain  faith ;  in  the  comfort  of 
a  feasonable,  religious,  and  holy  hope;  in 
favour  with  Thee  our  God,  and  in  perfect 
charity  with  the  world.  All  of  which  we  ask 
through  Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord.    Amen. 

OMY  God,  I  believe  in  Thee,  I  hope  in 
Thee  and  I  love  Thee  and  I  grieve  that 
I  have  so  often  offended  Thee  by  my  sins, 
and  I  resolve  henceforth  by  Thy  Grace  and 
Mercy  to  lead  a  better  life. 


l6o  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

OGOD,  I  offer  myself  unto  Thee,  with  all 
that  I  am  and  all  that  I  have.  Wash 
me,  I  beseech  Thee,  from  all  that  is  sinful  in 
the  Precious  Blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  join 
all  that  is  good  to  His  merits  and  mediation. 

OLORD,  give  me  Thy  Grace,  truly  to  say: 
"  Not  my  will  but  Thine  be  done." 

(Upon  recovering  from  illness,  one  should  attend  Church 
and  receive  the  Sacrament,  asking  the  Priest  to  offer  a 
TJianks giving.  It  is  also  fitting  to  make  a  Thank- 
offering.) 

Prayer  of  Thanksgiving. 

ALMIGHTY  GOD,  Who  in  Thy  mercy  hast 
^  heard  my  prayer  and  hast  granted  me  a 
longer  continuance  here  on  earth,  accept  this 
my  humble  and  devout  thanksgiving  and  grant 
that  I  may  ever  hereafter  devote  my  life  to 
Thy  service.  May  I  never  forget  Thy  good- 
ness ;  may  I  ever  keep  the  good  resolutions 
that  I  have  made  and  may  I  ever  by  Thy 
grace  walk  before  Thee  in  meekness  and  low- 
liness of  heart,  to  Thy  honour  and  glory, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.    Amen. 

THE  Lord  saveth  my  life  from  destruction 
and  crowneth  me  with  mercy  and  loving 
kindness.     Blessed  be  the  Name  of  the  Lord. 


COMMUNION    OF   THE   SICK.  l6l 

COMMUNIOIN   OF  THE   SICK. 

(Sometimes,  the  Sick  Person  desires  to  he  communi- 
cated by  having  a  short  Mass  said  according  to 
the  Shortened  Form  set  forth  in  the  Prayer  Book, 
on  pages  292  and  293.  More  often  however,  it 
seems  more  desirable  for  the  Sick  Person  to  re- 
ceive the  Blessed  Sacrament  as  carried  from  the 
Church,  where  it  has  been  Reserved.  The  following 
form  is  for  this  latter  use-  Before  the  Service 
the  Sick  Person's  Confession  may  be  ma4e  to 
the  Priest.) 

IN  the  Name  ^  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
*     Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 

PEACE  be   to  this   house   and   to   all   that 
dwell  therein. 
Antiphon:     "Thou     shalt     purge     me     with 
hyssoip,  O  LoiRD,  and  I  shall  be  clean." 

Psalm:  "Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  God, 
after  Thy  great  goodness."  Glory  be  to  the 
Father,  etc. 

Antiphon:     "Thou     shalt    purge     me     with 
hyssop,  O  Lord,  and  I  shall  be  clean.     Thou 
shalt   wash    me    and    I    shall   be    whiter   than 
snow." 
Our  help  is  in  the  Name  of  the  Lord, 

Who  hath  made  Heaven  and  earth. 
Lord,  hear  our  prayer, 

And  let  our  cry  come  unto  Thee. 
The  Lord  be  with  you, 
And  with  Thy  Spirit. 

Let  us  pray. 

HEAR  us,  Almighty  Father,  Everlasting 
God,  and  grant  that  Thy  Holy  Spirit 
may  rest  upon  this  house  and  that  Thy  Holy 
Angels  m.>y  ever  guard,  succour  and  defend  all 
those  who   dwell  therein.     And  if  it  be  Thy 


l62  THE    PRACTICE   OF    RELIGION 

gracious  will,  grant  that  this  Thy  servant  by 
Thy  tender  mercy  may  be  restored  to  health 
and  evermore  worship  Thee  in  spirit  and  in 
truth,  through  Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord.  Amen. 

Confession  and  Absolution    (unless  com- 
municant has  made  a  confession). 

The  Comfortable  Words. 
Agnus  Dei. 

Prayer  of  Humble  Access. 
Communion. 
"The  Lord  be  with  you, 
And  with  Thy  Spirit." 

Let  us  pray. 

OHOLY  Lord,  Holy  Father,  Everlasting 
God,  We  humbly  beseech  Thee,  that 
this  Holy  Communion  of  the  Body  and  Blood 
of  Thy  Son,  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  may  be 
for  the  salvation  of  soul  and  body  to  this  Thy 
servant  who  has  received  these  Holy  Gifts 
through  the  same  Thy  Son,  Jesus  Christ, 
Our   Lord.     Amen. 

npHE  Peace  of  God  which  passeth  all  un- 
*■  derstanding  keep  your  heart  and  mind 
in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  God  and  of  His 
Son  Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord:  and  the  Bless- 
ing of  God  Almighty  >h  The  Father,  Son  and 
Holy  Ghost,  be  with  you  and  remain  with  you 
always.    Amen. 

{The  Sick  Person  may  here  he  Anointed,  if  so  desired.) 


ANOINTING  WITH    HOLY   OIL  163 

ANOINTING  WITH  HOLY  OIL 

OR 

UNCTION  OF  THE  SICK 

(The  Anglican  Communion  follows  the  Scriptural 
command  to  use  Anointing  with  oil  as  an  aid  to 
recovery:  "Let  them  pray  over  him  anointing 
him  unth  oil  in  the  name  of  the  Lord;  and  the 
prayer  of  faith  shall  save  the  sick  and  the  Lord 
shall  raise  him  up  and  if  he  have  committed  sins, 
they  shall  be  forgiven  him." — St.  James  v.  14,  15.) 

{One  mode  of  administration  is  to  anoint  with  the 
Holy  Oil  (i)  the  Eyes,  (2)  the  Ears,  (3)  the 
Nostrils,  (4)  the  Lips,  (5)  the  Hands,  (6)  the 
Feet,  saying  special  prayers.  Another  mode  now 
most  often  followed  in  our  Communion,  is  simply 
to  anoint  the  Forehead  or  Breast,  making  the 
Sign  of  the  Cross.  This  anointing  is  generally 
given  after  the  sick  person  has  made  his  Con- 
fession and  received  the  Communion.) 

(The   Priest    begins   the   service   as   follows:) 

T  N  the  Name   *i*  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
-*•     Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

MA.Y    all    evil    be    quenched    in    thee    'by 
the  laying  on  of  our  hands  and  by  the 
intercessions  o'f  the  Saints  and  Angels.   Amen. 
(Here   the  sick   person   zinlt   be   anointed.) 

BY  this  Holy  Unction  fi*   and  by  His  Most 
Gracious    Mercy,    may    the    Lord    pardon 
thee  whatsoever  thou  hast  done  amiss.   Amen. 

AS  with  this  visible  Oil  thy  body  out- 
wardly is  anointed,  so  our  Heavenly 
Father,  Almighty  God>  grant  of  His  Infinite 
Goodness  that  thy  soul  inwardly  may  be 
anointed  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  Who  is  the 
Spirit    of    all    strength,    comfort,    relief    and 


164  THE    PRACTICE   OF    RELIGION 

gladness.  And  resolve  for  His  great  mercy 
(if  it  be  His  Blessed  Will  to  restore  unto 
thee  thy  bodily  health  and  strength,  and  send 
thee  release  of  all  thy  pains,  troubles  and 
diseases,  both  in  bod^^  and  mind),  to  serve 
Him  truly  all  the  days  of  thy  life.    Amen. 

Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,    have    mercy    upon    us. 


O 


UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 


O'  Lord,  save  Thy  servant. 

That  putteth  his  trust  in  Thee. 
Send  unto  him  help  from  above, 

And  strengthen  him  out  of  Sion. 
Be  Thou  to  him  a  strong  tower. 

From  the  face  of  his  enemy. 
Let  the  enemy  have  no  advantage  of  him. 

Nor  the  wicked  approach  to  hurt  him. 
O  Lord,  hear  our  prayer. 

And  let  our  cry  come  unto  Thee. 
The  Lord  be  with  thee. 

And  with  thy  Spirit. 

/^LORD  God,  Who,  by  Thy  Holy  Apostle 
^^  Saint  James,  hast  taught  us  to  anoint 
the  sick  in  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  heal,  we 
beseech  Thee,  this  Thy  servant;  pardon  all 
sins,  take  away  all  infirmities,  and  restore  to 
perfect  health  in  mind,  body  and  soul,  if  it 
be  Thy  gracious  Will,  Who  livest  and  reign- 
est  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
One  God,  World  without  end.     Amen. 

'T^  HE  Blessing  *   of  God  Almighty,  etc. 


X. 

A    COMMENDATORY    OFFICE    TO    BE 

SAID  FOR  ONE  AT  THE  POINT 

OF  DEATH 

(It  is  impossible  to  give  all  of  the  Prayers,  Inter- 
cessions or  Litanies  that  may  be  desired-  The 
Priest  will  use  some.  Others  may  be  found  in 
the  Visitation  of  the  Sick  in  the  P.  B.,  especially 
on  pages  285,  286,  288,  289,  290.  The  following 
may   also    be  said.) 

The  Lord's  Prayer  and  "Kyrie/' 

The  Litany   (ending  with  "Good  Lord  de- 
liver us.") 

O  Saviour  of  the  World,  the  "Agnus  Dei'' 
and  "Hail  Mary." 

\/TAY  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  all  the  Saints 
^^^  pray  for  thee  now  and  at  the  hour  of 
thy  death.     Amen. 


M 


AY   the    Holy    Angels    ever   guard,    suc- 
cour and  defend  thee.    Amen. 

^^  MOST  Gracious  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ, 
^^  look  with  mercy  and  compassion  upon 
this  Thy  servant,  lying  apparently  at  the  point 
of  death.  Fill  him  with  Faith,  Hope,  Charity 
and  Repentance.  Keep  from  him  the  powers 
of  darkness  and  stablish  him  in  the  Commun- 
ion of  the  Catholic  Church.  Wash  him  from 
all  his  sins,  let  his  end  he  full  of  peace  and 
comfort,  and  in  the  hour  of  departure  may  his 
soul  rest  in  Thee,  unto  Everlasting  Life. 

I6S 


l66  THE   PRACTICE   OF    RELIGION 

{The  following  is  said  at  the  moment  of  death:) 

GO  forth,  Christian  Soul,  into  life  ever- 
lasting: in  the  Name  of  the  Father, 
Who  made  thee ;  in  the  Name  of  the  Son, 
Who  redeemed  thee;  in  the  Name  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  Who  sanctifieth  thee;  in  the 
Name  of  Angels  and  Archangels  and  all  the 
Heavenly  Host;  in  the  Name  of  Apostles, 
Martyrs  and  Confessors  and  all  the  Saints  of 
God,  and  may  thee  rest  in  peace  and  come 
unto  everlasting  life.    Amen. 

INTO'  Thy  hands  we  commit  the  soul  of 
this  Thy  servant,  that  when  dead  unto  the 
world,  he  may  live  unto  Thee.  The  Lord 
gave:  the  Lord  taketh  away.  Blessed  be  the 
Name  of  the  Lord.     Amen. 

{Also   see  pages    169   to    173.) 


XL 

A  MEMORIAL  OF  THE  DEAR 
DEPARTED 

(The  souls  of  the  Faithful  are  in  the  hands  of  God. 
Those  who  die  in  a  state  of  grace,  must  still  be 
purified  and  perfected  before  they  can  enter  into 
their  final  state.  During  this  time  of  waiting  in 
the  "Place  of  Departed  Spirits"  or  "Purgatory," 
the  Church  remembers  them  at  the  Altar,  and  in 
her  Prayers.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  to  pray  for 
the  holy  dead,  to  have  a  Requiem  at  the  time  of 
the  Funeral,  and  to  remember  them  at  the  Mass 
and  at  their  Intercessions.) 

TN  the  Name  *    of  the  Father  and  of  the 
-*•     Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

MAY    the    souls    of    the    faithful    departed, 
through  the  Mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace. 
And  may  light  perpetual  shine  upon  them. 

UR  Father.  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 


O 


(Now  may  be  said.) 

The  Lord's  Prayer  and  "Kyrie,"  O 
Saviour  of  the  World,  the  "Agnus  Dei''  and 
"Hail  Mary/' 

OLORD,  the  God  of  spirits  and  of  all 
flesh,  Who  didst  put  death  under  Thy 
Feet,  didst  destroy  the  power  of  the  devil,  and 
gavest  Thy  life  for  the  world,  grant  rest,  O 
Lord,  to  the  souls  of  Thy  departed  servants 

(especially ),  in  the  place  of  light 

and  refreshment,  whence  pain  and  sorrow  and 
sighin'g  are  driven  away;  and  in  Thy  good- 
ness and  mercy  pardon  every  sin  committed 
by  them  in  thought,  word  and  deed;  Thou 
Who  art  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life,  and 
Who  livest  and  reignest,  God  forever  and  ever. 
Amen.     (From  the  Guild  of  AH  Souls.) 

167 


1 68  THE   PRACTICE   OF    RELIGION 

"They    do    rest    in    peace    where    their    tiforks    do 
follow  them." 

^^O  LORD,  in  Whom  the  spirits  live 

^"^^      Of  all  the  faithful  passed  away, 
Unto  their  path  that  'brightness  give 

Which  shineth  to  the  perfect  day. 
O  God  of  Mercy,  Lord  Most  Blest, 
Grant  them  Thine  Eternal  Rest. 

Bless  Thou  the  dead     v^hich  die  in  Thee; 

As  Thou  hast  given  them  release, 
So  quicken  them  Thy  Face  to  see 

And  give  them  Everlasting  Peace. 
O  Lamb  of  God,  Redeemer  Blest 
Grant  them  Thine  Eternal  Rest." 

"The   souls   of    the   righteous    are    in    the    hand   of 
God,   where  no  torment  shall  touch  them." 

**'^J'OW  the  labourer's  task  is  o'er, 

'*-^     Now  the  battle  day  is  past; 
There  upon  the  farther  shore 

Land  the  voyagers  at  last. 
Grant  them,  Lord,  Eternal  Rest 
With  the  Spirits  of  the  Blest. 

Purge  each  stain  of  sin  away. 

May  in  light  perpetual  be 
Perfect  more  and  more  each  day. 

Those  who  lived  and  died  in  Thee; 
Grant  Thy  love  in  them  increase 
May  Thy  Servants  rest  in  peace." 

THE  Grace  ►i'  of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
etc. 

(^Also  see  pages  169  to  173.) 


XII 
INTERCESSORY   PRAYER 

INTERCESSORY  Prayer  is  a  duty.  Its 
power  is  unlimited.  Our  Lord  says,  "  Ask 
and  it  shall  be  given  you."  "  If  ye  shall  ask 
anything  in  My  Name  I  will  do  it,"  whik 
St.  James  writes  "  the  effectual  fervent  prayer 
of  a  Righteous  man  availeth  much"  and  St. 
Paul  says  "by  prayer  and  supplication  with 
thanksgiving  let  your  requests  be  made  known 
unto  God."  Even  the  poet  sings  "  more  things 
are  wrought  by  prayer  than  this  world  dreams 
of." 

Prayer  must  be  made  in  the  Name  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  joined  to  His  merits  and  media- 
tion, for  "  He  ever  liveth  to  make  Intercession 
for  us"  If  so  made,  and  good  for  us  and  in 
accordance  with  God's  will  it  is  sure  to  be 
granted.  Prayer  gains  added  force  "  when 
two  or  three  are  gathered  together,"  or  at 
least  praying  the  same  petitions,  and  above 
all  is  it  effective  when  made  at  the  offering  of 
the  Holy  Eucharist. 

We  may  pray  in  direct  formal  words  or 
"by  intention,"  that  is,  by  saying  the  Lord]s 
Prayer,  with  the  object  in  mind.  Prayer  is 
one  of  tke  most  important  works  of  the  Church 
and  those  who  cannot  labour  actively  should 
spend  all  the  more  time  in  intercession. 
Prayer  is  best  made  to  God  direct,  but  the 
Invocation  of  the  Saints  or  asking  them  to 
pray  for  and  with  us  is  a  very  ancient  prac- 
tice, based  on  the  principle  of  both  living  and 
169 


170  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

dead  helping  one  another  in  the  Communion 
of  Saints. 

Among  the  objects  of  frequent  Intercession 
are:  (i)  the  Church;  (2)  the  Anglican  Com- 
munion; (3)  the  Parish;  (4)  the  Clergy; 
(5)  the  Sick;  (6)  the  Dying;  (7).  the  Dead; 
(8)  our  dear  ones;  (9)  those  in  danger; 
(10)   those  in  mortal  sin. 

The  following  is  a  brief  form  of  Inter- 
cession : 

An  Intercession. 

OGOD,  the  Ruler  of  all  things  and  the 
Giver  of  all  good  gifts,  we  humbly  offer 
unto  Thee  our  prayers  and  intercessions  in  the 
Name  of  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.  Grant, 
O  Lord,  that  Thy  Holy  Church  Universal 
may  be  ruled  and  governed  in  the  right  way, 
bringing  all  to  be  of  one  heart  and  mind 
within  her  borders.  Bless  the  Anglican  Com- 
munion, that  earnestly  contending  for  the 
Faith  once  delivered  to  the  Saints,  she  may 
win  many  souls  to  Thine  Honour  and  Glory. 
Prosper  all  Missions,  that  the  number  of 
Thine  elect  may  soon  be  accomplished.  Illu- 
minate all  Bishops  and  other  Clergy  (espe- 
cially .  .  .)  that  by  their  preaching  and  living 
they  may  set  forward  the  salvation  of  all  men 
and  be  faithful  ministers  of  Thy  Word  and 
Sacraments.  Watch  over  our  country  that  it 
may  be  preserved  from  all  danger  and  peril, 
and  our  rulers  that  they  may  govern  right- 
eously and  holily.  Have  mercy  upon  our 
families  (especially  .  .  .)  and  friends  (espe- 
cially •  .  .),  granting  them  health  and  happi- 
ness, and  rich  measure  of  Thy  Grace  to  live 
according  to  Thy  Word  and  Commandment.^. 


INTERCESSORY    PRAYER  I'Jl 

Have  pity  upon  our  enemies,  and  bring  all 
Thy  people  to  dwell  here  in  love  and  charity. 
Look  with  compassion  upon  the  poor,  the 
afflicted,  the  sick  and  the  suffering  {especially 
.  .  .),  relieving  them  according  to  their  several 
necessities,  or  else  giving  them  patience  to 
bear  their  troubles.  Give  Thy  Heavenly  com- 
fort to  the  dying  and  wash  them  from  all  their 
sins  in  the  Precious  Blood  of  Jesus.  Remem- 
ber the  dear  departed  and  let  them  rest  in 
peace,  and  let  light  perpetual  shine  upon  them. 
Look  upon  all  sinners  and  criminals  and  bring 
them  to  repentance  and  better  minds.  Regard 
those  that  are  in  danger  and  peril  and  raise 
up  Thy  might  to  save  and  succour  them. 
Help  those  in  trial  and  temptation  and  suffer 
them  not  to  faint  or  falter  in  their  hour  of 
need.  Drive  out  from  us  all  crime  and  cor- 
ruption and  make  all  Thy  children  to  worship 
Thee  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  O  Most  Merciful 
Father,  grant  these  petitions,  we  beseech 
Thee,  and  give  to  us  who  have  prayed  and  to 
chose  for  whom  we  pray  the  Grace  of  Thy 
Holy  Spirit,  that  henceforth  we  may  walk 
jefore  Thee  in  holiness  and  righteousness 
and  be  brought  to  those  heavenly  mansions, 
where  with  Thine  Only  Begotten  Son  and 
Thy  Most  Holy  Spirit  Thou  art  to  be  wor- 
shipped, honoured  and  glorified  unto  the  ages 
of  ages.     Amen. 

(Or  use  the  following.) 

For  the   Sick. 

O  FATHER  of  mercies  and  God  of  all 
Comfort,  our  only  help  in  time  of  need : 
look  down  with  pity,  we  humbly  beseech  Thee, 
uDon  all  those  Thy  servants  who  are  grieved 


172  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

and  wearied  with  sickness  (especially  .  .  .)- 
Comfort  them  with  the  sense  of  Thy  good- 
ness; preserve  them  from  the  temptations  of 
the  enemy;  give  them  patience  under  their 
affliction,  with  sincere  repentance  for  all  their 
sins  and  hearty  desire  to  do  what  is  right. 
Lift  up  Thy  countenance  upon  them  and  give 
them  peace  both  now  and  evermore.  And  if 
it  be  Thy  gracious  will,  restore  them  to  their 
former  health  and  enable  them  to  lead  the  rest 
of  their  life  in  Thy  fear  and  to  Thy  glory 
through  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

For  the  Dying. 

O  ALMIGHTY  God,  to  Whom  at  His  Last 
Agony,  Our  Saviour  Christ  didst  com- 
mend His  Soul,  as  unto  His  Heavenly  Father, 
behold  in  mercy  all  those  Thy  servants  who 
are  at  the  point  of  death.  Let  them  be  precious 
in  Thy  sight  and  fit  and  prepare  their  souls 
for  Thy  visitation.  Strengthen  them,  we 
beseech  Thee,  with  Thy  Grace  and  Holy 
Spirit:  wash  them  in  the  Blood  of  Jesus 
Christ,  which  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the 
world ;  stablish  them  in  faith,  hope  and  charity, 
that  with  Thee  they  may  pass  through  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.  And  at  the  last 
let  them  depart  in  peace  and  in  Thy  favour, 
to  be  received  into  Thy  everlasting  kingdom,, 
through  the  Merits  and  Mediation  of  Our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

For  the   Faithful  Departed. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  with  Whom  do  live  the 
■    spirits  of  those  who  die  in  the  Lord  and 
with  Whom  the  souls  of  the  faithful  rest  ia 


INTERCESSORY    PRAYER  I73 

peace,  mercifully  hear  our  prayers  and  look 
with  compassion  upon  those  who  have  departed 
this  hfe  in  Thy  faith  and  fear  (and  espe- 
cially .  .  .)•  Grant  them,  we  beseech  Thee, 
light,  peace  and  refreshment,  where  no  tor- 
ment can  touch  them.  Accept  the  interces- 
sions of  Thy  Church  and  the  Holy  Sacrifice 
of  the  Altar,  which  we  offer  from  time  to 
time,  for  those  who  do  rest  from  their  labours. 
Hasten  the  day  of  their  perfection,  that  they 
may  soon  receive  the  fulness  of  joy  in  Thy 
Eternal  and  Everlasting  Glory,  where  with 
all  Thine  Elect  they  may  shine  forever  as  the 
stars  of  heaven.  All  of  which  we  ask  through 
Him,  Who  is  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life, 
Our  Lord  and  Redeemer  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

MAY  the  souls  *i*  of  the  faithful  departed 
through    the    mercies    of    God    rest    in 
peace  and  let  light  perpetual  shine  upon  them. 

For  Missions. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  Who  hast  made  all  the 
nations  upon  earth  and  didst  send  Thy 
Blessed  Son  to  bring  peace  to  them  that  are 
far  off  and  to  them  that  are  nigh  and  hast 
commanded  Thy  Church  to  preach  the  Gospel 
to  all  men,  bless  we  beseech  Thee  all  Missions 
sent  forth  in  Thy  Name.  Bring  the  nations 
into  Thy  Fold  and  add  the  heathen  to  Thy 
inheritance  that  all  may  worship  Thee  in 
spirit  and  in  truth  through  Jesus  Christ,  Our 
Lord.    Amen. 


174  THE   PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

A  HYMN  FOR  THE  "DEAR  DEPARTED" 

TO  BE  SAID  BEFORE  THE 

SACRAMENT. 

"Jesu,  Son  of  Mary, 

Fount  of  life  alone, 
Here  we  hail  Thee  present 

On   Thine  altar-throne. 
Hum'bly   we   adore    Thee, 

Lord   of   endless   might. 
In    the    mystic    symbols 

Veiled  from  earthly  sight. 

Think,  O  Lord,  in  mercy 

On   the   souls   of   those 
Who,  in  faith  gone  from  us, 

Now  in  death  repose. 
Here,   'mid   stress  and  conflict, 

Toils  can  never  cease ; 
There,   the   warfare   ended, 

Bid  them  rest  in  peace. 

Often  were  they  wounded 

In  the  deadly  strife ; 
Heal    them,    Good    Physician, 

With  the   balm  of   life. 
Every  taint  of  evil. 

Frailty  and  decay. 
Good  and  gracious  Saviour, 

Cleanse   and  purge  away. 

Rest  eternal  grant  them, 

After   weary   fight ; 
Shed  on  them  the  radiance 

Of  Thy  heavenly  light. 
Lead   them    onward,   upward. 

To  the  holy  place, 
Where   Thy   saints,  made  perfect. 

Gaze  upon  Thy  face," 


'hail!  thou  that  art  highly  favour- 
ed,   THE    LORD    IS     WITH    THEE: 

blessed  art  thou  among 
women/' 


XIII. 

MEMORIAL   OiF   THE    INCARNATION 
OR  "THE  ANGELUS." 

(Zh  the  Mystery  of  the  Incarnation  we  worship  and 
adore  Our  Lord  as  God  of  God,  we  honour  and  rever- 
ence Saint  Mary  as  Blessed  among  women.  In 
honouring  Mary,  the  Instrument  of  the  Incarnation, 
we  really  honour  Christ,  Who  became  Incarnate.  The 
"Angelus,"  which  is  said  morning,  noon  and  night, 
expresses  the  inspired  Salutation  of  the  Angel  and 
Elizabeth  as  recorded  in  the  Gospel  of  Saint  Luke.) 

THE  Angel  of  the  Lord  came  in  unto  Mary 
and  spake  unto  her.     And  she  conceived 
by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Antiphon:  Hail  Mary,  thou  that  art  highly 
favoured :  the  Lord  is  with  thee ;  blessed  art 
thou  among  women,  and  blessed  is  the  fruit 
of  thy  womb,  Jesus.  Holy  Mary,  Mother  of 
God,  pray  for  us  sinners  now  and  at  the  hour 
of  our  death.    Amen. 

And  Mary  said :  Behold  the  handmaid  of 
the  Lord:  be  it  unto  me  according  to  thy 
Word.  {Repeat  Antiphon.) 

And  the  fWord  was  made  Flesh  and  dwelt 
among  us.  {Repeat  Antiphon.) 

WE  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  pour  Thy 
Grace  into  our  hearts :  that  as  we  have 
known  the  Incarnation  of  Thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  by  the  message  of  an  angel,  so  by 
His  Cross  and  Passion  we  may  be  brought 
imto  the  glory  of  His  Resurrection,  through 
the  same  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.    Atnen. 

GLORY  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son, 
etc. 

175 


XIV. 
PRAYERS   BEFORE  A  JOURNEY 

(Considerably  adapted  from  the  Ancient  Itinerarium.) 

IN  the  Name    '^b  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 
Antiphon:     Into  the  way  of  peace  and  pros- 
perity. 
The  Benedictus.    St.  Luke  i.  68-79. 

Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel:  for  He 
hath  visited  and  redeemed  His  people ; 

And  hath  raised  up  a  mighty  salvation  for 
us  :  in  the  house  of  His  servant  David : 

As  He  spake  by  the  mouth  of  His  holy  Pro- 
phets :  which  have  "been  since  the  world  be- 
gan; 

That  we  should  be  saved  from  our  enemies : 
and  from  the  hand  of  all  that  hate  us. 

To  perform  the  mercy  promised  to  our  fore- 
fathers :  and  to  remember  His  holy  covenant ; 

To  perform  the  oath  which  He  sware  to  our 
forefather  Abraham:  that  He  would  give  us; 

That  we  being  delivered  out  of  the  hand  of 
our  enemies :  might  serve  Him  without  fear ; 

In  holiness  and  righteousness  before  Him, 
all  the  days  of  our  life. 

And  thou,  child,  shalt  be  called  the  prophet 
of  the  Highest:  for  thou  shalt  go  before  the 
face  of  the  Lord  to  prepare  His  ways ; 

To  give  knowledge  of  salvation  unto  His 
people:  for  the  remission  of  their  sins, 

Through  the  tender  mercy  of  our  God: 
whereby  the  day-spring  from  on  high  hath 
visited  us; 

176 


PRAYERS  BEFORE  A  JOURNEY  1 77 

To  give  light  to  them  that  sit  in  darkness, 
and  in  the  shadow  of  death :  and  to  guide  our 
feet  into  the  way  of  peace. 

GLORY  be  to  the  Father  and  to  the  Son, 
etc. 

Antiphon:  Into  the  way  of  peace  and  pros- 
perity, may  the  Almighty  and  Merciful 
God  direct  us  that  we  may  return  to  our 
homes  in  joy  and  happiness. 

C\  UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 

Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Christ,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
Lord,    have    mercy    upon    us. 

O  Lord,  save  Thy  servants. 

Who  put  their  trust  in  Thee. 
Be  unto  us,  O  Lord,  a  strong  tower. 

From  the  enemy  deliver  us. 
Let  no  evil  apiproach  to  harm  us,  O  Lo»a 

But  guard  us  from  all  danger  and   peril. 
Blessed  be  the  Lord,  our  Governor. 

May  our  journey  be  safe  and  prosperous. 
Show  us  Thy  ways,  O  Lord. 

And  teach  us  Thy  paths. 
O  that  our  ways  may  be  so  direct 

That  we  may  ever  keep  Thy  Statutes. 
O  God,  give  Thine  Angels  charge  concerning 
us. 

To  keep  us  in  all  Thy  imys. 
O  Ijord,  hear  our  prayer. 

And  let  our  crying  come  unto  Thee. 


D 


IRECT  us,  O  Lord.  etc. 


178  THE    PRACTICE   OF    RELIGION 

r\  GOID,  Who  didst  guide  the  Children  of 
^^  Israel  by  a  pillar  of  cloud  and  fire,  and 
didst  lead  the  Wise  Men  by  the  shining  of  a 
star,  be  to  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  a  Light  to 
lighten  our  darkness,  granting  us  a  holy  and 
prosperous  journey  and  in  Thy  good  season 
•bring  us  to  the  haven  of  eternal  salvation, 
through   Tesus  Christ    Our  Lord.     Amen, 

ASSIST  us  mercifully,  O  Lord,  in  these 
our  supplications  and  prayers,  and  dis- 
pose the  way  of  thy  servants  towards  the 
attainment  of  everlasting  salvation ;  that 
among  all  the  changes  and  chances  of  this 
mortal  life,  we  may  ever  be  defended  by  Thy 
most  gracious  and  ready  help;  through  Jesus 
Christ  Our  Lord.    Amen, 

r)  ETERNAL  God,  Who  alone  spreadest 
^^  out  the  Heavens,  and  rulest  all  things 
both  on  sea  and  land :  we  commend  to  Thine 
Almighty  Protection  ourselves  Thy  servants 
for  whose  preservation  on  the  great  deep 
(or  on  the  land)  we  pray.  Guard  us,  we  be- 
seech Thee,  from  all  dangers  which  may 
await  us,  from  sickness,  from  the  violence  of 
enemies  and  from  every  evil  to  which  we  may 
be  exposed.  Conduct  us  in  safety  to  the 
haven  where  we  would  be  with  a  grateful 
sense  of  all  Thy  mercies,  through  Jesus 
Christ  Our  Lord.    Amen. 

'  I  ''HE  Grace  ^  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
■^       the  Love  of  God,  and  the  Fellowship  of 
the    Holy    Ghost    be    with    us    all    evermore. 
Amen. 


XV. 

MORNING,    NOON,    AND    EVENING 
PRAYERS,  ETC. 

Short  Silent  Prayers 

Upon  arising:  "I  laid  me  down  and  slept,  and 

rise  again,  for  the  Lord  sustaineth  me." 
Before  sleeping:  "  Father,  into  Thy  Hands  I 

commend    my    spirit."      "  I    will    lay    me 

down  in   peace   and  take   my  rest,   for   it 

is  Thou,  Lord  Only,  that  makest  me  dwell 

in    safety." 
To  recall  God's  Presence:    "Thou  God  seest 

me." 
In   sickness:  "Thou   shalt   not  be   afraid   for 

any  terror  by  night,  nor  for  the  sickness 

that  destroyeth  in  the  noonday." 
In  pain:   "  Father,  if  Thou  be  willing,  remove 

this  cup  from   me ;   Nevertheless,  not  my 

will  but  Thine  be  done." 
In  danger:  "  I  will  lift  up  my  eyes  to  the  hills 

from  whence  cometh  my  help."    "  O  Lord, 

deliver  us  from  evil." 
In  doubt:    "Lord,   I  believe;   help   Thou   my 

unbelief." 
For   recollection:  "  Watch,    therefore,    for    ye 

know  neither  the  day  nor  the  hour  wherein 

the  Son  of  Man  cometh." 
On  a  journey:    "The  Lord  preserve  my  going 

out   and   my   coming   in:     from  this   time 

forth   forevermore." 

179 


l8o  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

MORNING  PRAYERS 

IN  the  Name  ►J*  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

LET  the  words  of  my  mouth  and  the  medi- 
■'  tation  of  my  heart  be  always  acceptable 
in  Thy  Sight,  O  Lord,  my  strength  and  my 
Redeemer. 


O 


UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 
BELIEVE  in  God,  etc. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  we  most  haartily  thank 
Thee  for  our  creation,  preservation  and 
all  the  blessings  of  this  life,  for  Thy  loving 
care  and  watchful  providence  over  us  all  our 
days,  and  for  having  delivered  us  from  all  the 
dangers  and  perils  of  the  past  night,  but  above 
all  things  for  Thine  inestimable  love  in  the 
redemption  of  the  world  by  Our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  means  of  Grace 
and  for  the  hope  of  Glory.  And  we  beseech 
Thee  to  accept  these  our  morning  prayers  of 
praise  and  thanksgiving,  continuing  these  Thy 
blessings  to  us  and  to  all  men,  and  taking  us 
and  all  who  are  dear  to  us  under  Thy  Fatherly 
care  and  protection.  More  especially  we  pray 
Thee  to  give  us  the  grace  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit, 
that  we,  being  unfeignedly  thankful,  may 
show  forth  our  praise,  not  only  with  our  lips 
but  in  our  lives,  by  giving  up  ourselves  to 
Thy  service  and  by  walking  before  Thee  in 
holiness  and  righteousness  all  our  days; 
through  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lorp.    Amen. 


MORNING    PRAYERS  l8l 


Morning   Hymn 

"  New  every  morning  is  the  love 
Our  waking  and  uprising  prove  ; 
Through  sleep  and  darkness  safely  brought, 
Restored  to  life  and  power  and  thought. 

New  mercies  each  returning  day 

Hover  aroun,d  us  while  we  pray ; 

New  perils  past,  new   sins  forgiven, 

New  thoughts  of  God,  new  hopes  of  heaven. 

If,  on  our  daily  course,  our  mind 
Be  set  to  hallow  all  we  find, 
New  treasures  still  of  countless  price 
God  will  provide  for  sacrifice. 

Old   friends,  old  scenes   will  lovelier  be 
As  more  of  heaven  in  each  we  see ; 
Some   softening  gleam  of  love  and  prayer 
Shall  dawn  on  every  cross  and  care. 

The  trivial  round,  the  common  task 
Will  furnish  all  we  need  to  ask; 
Room  to  deny  ourselves,  a  road 
To  bring  us  daily  nearer  God. 

Only,  O  Lord,  in  Thy  dear  love, 
Fit  us  for  perfect  rest  above ; 
And  help  us  this  and  every  day. 
To  live  more  nearly  as  we  pray." 

THE  Grace  ►f"  of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  the  Love  of  God,  aud  the  Fellow- 
ship of  the  Holy  Ghost  be  with  us  all  ever- 
more.    Amen. 


l82  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

EVENING   PRAYERS 

IN  the  Name  4*  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 

LET  my  prayer  be  set  forth  in  Thy  sight  as 
■'     the  incense,  and  let  the  lifting  up  of  my 
hands  be  an  evening  sacrifice. 


O 


UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 


ALMIGHTY  God,  we  most  heartily  thank 
Thee  for  Thy  goodness  and  loving- 
kindness  to  us  and  to  all  men,  for  Thy 
Fatherly  care  and  protection  to  us  this  day 
and  for  all  the  many  blessings  of  the  same, 
beseeching  Thee  that  we  may  ever  love  and 
praise  Thy  Holy  Name  and  follow  Thee  all 
the  days  of  our  life.  And  we  pray  Thee  to 
bless  the  labours  of  this  day,  pardoning  all 
our  imperfections,  and  making  all  redound  to 
Thine  Honour  and  Glory,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

O  SAVIOUR  of  the  world.  Who  by  Thy 
Cross  and  Precious  Blood  hast  re- 
deemed us,  save  us  and  help  us,  we  humbly 
beseech  Thee,  O  Lord.     Amen. 

I    WILL  lay  me  down  in  peace  and  take  my 
rest  for  Thou  Lord  only  makest  us  dwell 
in  safety. 

THE  Grace  "^  of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  the  Love  of  God  and  the  Fellow- 
ship of  the  Holy  Ghost  be  with  us  all  ever- 
more.    Amen. 


evening  prayers  183 

Evening  Hymn 

"All  praise  to  Thee,  my  God,  this  night, 
For  all  the  blessings  of  the  light. 
Keep  me,  O  keep  me.  King  of  Kings, 
Beneath  Thine  Own  Almighty  wings. 

Forgive  me.  Lord,  for  Thy  dear  Son 
The  ill  that  I  this  day  have  done ; 
That  with  the  world,  myself  and  Thee 
I,  ere  I  sleep,  at  peace  may  be. 

Teach  me  to  live  that  I  may  dread 
The  grave  as  little  as  my  bed; 
Teach  me  to  die  that  so  I  may 
Rise  glorious  at  the  awful  day. 

O,  may  my  soul  on  Thee  repose. 
And  may  sweet  sleep  mine  eyelids  close; 
Sleep  that  shall  me  more  vigorous  make 
To  serve  my  God  when  I  awake. 

When  in  the  night  I  sleepless  lie, 
My  soul  Avith  heavenly  thoughts  supply; 
Let  no  ill  dreams  disturb  my  rest, 
No  powers  of  darkness  me  molest. 

O,  when  shall  I  in  endless  day 
Forever  chase  dark  sleep  away, 
And  hymns  divine  with  angels  sing 
All  praise  to  Thee,  Eternal  King? 

Praise  God,  from  Whom  all  blessings  flow ; 
Praise  Him,  all  creatures  here  below ; 
Praise  Him  above,   angelic  host ; 
Praise  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost." 


184  THE    PRAGTICE    OF    RELIGION 

DEVOTIONS  FOR  NOON 

IN  the  Name  ^  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 


O 


UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 


O  SAVIOUR  of  the  world,  Who  by  Thy 
Cross  and  Precious  Blood  hast  redeemed 
us,  save  us  and  help  us,  we  humbly  beseech 
Thee,  O  Lord. 


O 

o 
o 


LAMB  of  God,  that  takest  away  the  sins 
of  the  world,  Have  mercy  upon  us. 

LAMB  of  God,  that  takest  away  the  sins 
of  the  world,  Have  mercy  upon  us. 

LAMB  of  God,  that  takest  away  the  sins 
of  the  world,  Grant  us  Thy  Peace. 


OLORD  Jesus  Christ,  we  adore  Thee 
once  nailed  on  the  Cross  for  us.  O 
pray  for  us  now  and  at  the  hour  of  death,  that 
we  may  so  follow  Thee  in  this  world  that  in 
the  world  to  come  we  may  attain  to  those 
unspeakable  joys  which  Thou  hast  prepared 
for  those  who  unfeignedly  love  Thee.    Amen. 

{Here  might  follow  various  Intercessions  or  additional 
Prayers.) 

THE  Grace  »i*  of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  the  Love  of  God  and  the  Fellowship 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  be  with  us  all  evermore. 
Amen. 


ADDITIONAL    PRAYERS  185 


ADDITIONAL  PRAYERS 

STIR  up,  O  Lord,  we  beseech  Thee,  the 
wills  of  Thy  faithful  people,  that  they 
plenteously  bringing  forth  the  fruit  of  good 
works  may  by  Thee  be  plenteously  rewarded, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

OGOD,  Who  hast  prepared  for  those  who 
love  Thee  such  good  things  as  pass 
man's  understanding :  Pour  into  our  hearts 
such  love  toward  Thee,  that  we,  loving  Thee 
above  all  things,  may  obtain  Thy  promises, 
which  exceed  all  that  we  can  desire ;  through 
Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

DIRECT  us,  O  Lord,  in  all  our  doings 
with  Thy  most  gracious  favour  and 
further  us  with  Thy  continual  help,  that  in 
all  our  works  begun,  continued,  and  ended  in 
Thee  we  may  glorify  Thy  Holy  Name,  and 
finally  by  Thy  mercy  obtain  everlasting  life 
through  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

WE  beseech  Thee,  O  Lord,  pour  Thy 
Grace  into  our  hearts :  that  as  we  have 
known  the  Incarnation  of  Thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  by  the  message  of  an  angel,  so  by 
His  Cross  and  Passion  we  may  be  brought 
unto  the  glory  of  His  Resurrection,  through 
the  same  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

ALMIGHTY    and    Everlasting    God,    Who 
dost  govern   all  things   in   Heaven   and 
Earth,   mercifully   hear   the   prayers   and  sup- 


l86  THE    PRACTICE    OF    RELIGION 

plications  of  Thy  people;  and  grant  unto  the 
Church  all  things  that  are  needful  for  her 
spiritual  and  temporal  welfare.  Strengthen 
and  confirm  the  faithful ;  visit  and  relieve  the 
sick;  turn  and  soften  the  wicked;  rouse  the 
careless;  raise  the  fallen;  restore  the  penitent; 
remove  all  hindrances  to  the  advancement  of 
Thy  truth,  and  bring  all  to  be  of  one  heart  and 
one  soul  within  the  fold  of  Thy  Holy  Church, 
through  Jesus  Christ  Our  Lord,  Who  liveth 
and  reigneth  with  Thee  in  the  Unity  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  ever  One  God,  world  without 
end.     Amen. 

LIGHTEN  our  darkness,  we  beseech  Thee, 
■'  O  Lord;  and  by  Thy  great  mercy  defend 
us  from  all  perils  and  dangers  of  this  night ; 
for  the  love  of  Thine  Only  Son,  Our  Saviour, 
Jesus  Christ.     Amen. 

OMOST  Merciful  Father,  I  confess  unto 
Thee  that  I  have  sinned  against  Thee  by 
thought,  word,  and  deed,  by  my  fault,  my 
own  fault,  my  own  most  grievous  fault,  and 
especially  I  confess  that  this  day  (here  name 
the  sins  of  the  day).  Forgive  me,  I  beseech 
Thee,  all  my  sins,  through  Jesus  Christ,  Our 
Lord.    Amen. 


MAY  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  all  the  Saints 
pray  for  us  now  and  at  the  hour  of  our 
death.     Amen. 


M 


AY    the    Holy    Angels    ever   guard,    suc- 
cour  and   defend   us.     Amen. 


WATCH    AND    PRAY    THAT    YE    ENTER    NOT 
JNTO    TEMPTATION." 


ADDITIONAL    PRAYERS  187 

ANOTHER    FORM    OF   MORNING 
PRAYER. 

IN  the  Name  *    of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 
I  LAID  me  down  and  slept  and  rise  again, 
for  the  Lord  watched  over  me. 

"Now  that  the  dayhght  fills  the  sky, 
We  lift  our  hearts  to  God  on  high, 
That  He  in  all  we  do  or  say, 
May  keetp  us  free  from  sin  today. 

O  Father,  fill  our  hearts  with  love, 
That  we  may  seek  the  things  above. 
Extinguish   Thou   each   sinful  fire, 
And  banish  every  wrong  desire. 

O  Father,  that  we  ask  be  done, 
Through  Jesus  Christ,  Thine  Only  Son, 
Who  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  Thee, 
Doth  live  and   reign  eternally." 
{Now  say  the  following  Prayers:) 

OUR    Father,    Hail    Mary,    Glory    be   to 
the  Father,  etc. 

OMY  God,  I  believe  in  Thee,  I  hope  in 
Thee  and  I  love  Thee,  and  I  resolve 
henceforth,  by  Thy  grace  and  mercy  to  live  to 
Thine   Honour  and  Glory. 

ALMIGHTY  God,  we  beseech  Thee  to  bless 
and  (prosper  us  Thy  servants,  and  all 
others  for  whom  we  should  pray  and  bring  us 
safely  to  another  night,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
Sake.    Amen. 

THE  Grace  ^  <yi  Our  Lord    Tesus  Christ. 
etc. 


lOO  THE    PRACTICE   OF    RELIGION 

ANOTHER   FOiRM    OF   NOON    PRAYER. 

IN  the  Name  <i*   of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 

I  WILL    look   unto    the   hills    from    whence 
Cometh  my  help. 

"O  Lord,  Almighty  King  of  Kings, 
Creator  of  created  things ; 
Who  from  the  morn  till  even's  ray, 
Through   every   change   dost  guide   the   day. 

In  will  and  deed,  by  heart  and  tongue, 
With  all  our  powers,  Thy  praise  be  sung. 
And  love  light  up  our  mortal  frame, 
Till  others  catch  the  living  flame. 

O  Father,  that  we  ask  be  done. 
Through  Jesus  Christ,  Thine   Only  Son, 
Who,   with   the  Holy  Ghost  and   Thee, 
Shall  live  and  reign  eternally." 

WE  adore  Thee,  Oi  Christ,  and  we  bless 
Thee,    because    by    Thy    Holy     Cross 
Thou  hast  redeemed  the  world. 

"D  LESSED,  praised  and  hallowed  be  Jesus 
■■-'      Christ,  on  His  Throne  of  Glory  and  in 
the  Most  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Altar. 
(Now  say  the  following  Prayers:) 

OUR   Father,   Hail    Mary,    Glory   be  to 
the  Father,  etc. 

A  LMIGHTY  God,  bless,  we  beseech  Thee, 
-^^  the  'Church,  the  Clergy,  and  the  Cause 
of  Missions,  Have  mercy  upon  all  men  and 
turn  all  to  Thee  in  faith,  love  and  repentance, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

THE  Grace  >i*  of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
etc. 


ADDITIONAL    PRAYERS  189 

ANOTHER   FORM   OF  EVENING 
PRAYER. 

IN  the  Name  *b    of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

I  WILL  lay  me  down  in  peace  and  take  my 
rest,  for    it    is    Thou,    Lord,    Only    Who 
makest  me  dwell  in  safety. 

"To   Thee,   before  the   close   of    day, 
Creator  of  the  world,  we  pray. 
That   with    Thy   wonted    favour   Thou 
Wouldst  be  our  guard  and  keeper  now. 

Grant  us  when  this  short  life  is  past, 
The  glorious  evening  that  shall  last, 
That  by  a  holy  death  attained, 
Eternal   glory   may   be   gained. 

O  Father,  that  we  ask  be  done. 
Through  Jesus  Christ,  Thine  Only  Son, 
Who,  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  Thee, 
Shall  Hve  and  reign  eternally." 

(Now  say  the  following  Prayers:) 

/^UR    Father,    Hail    Mary,    Glory    be   to 

^^     the  Father,  etc. 

OMY  God  I  believe  in  Thee,  I  hope  in 
Thee  and  I  love  Thee,  and  I  resolve 
henceforth,  by  Thy  grace  and  mercy  to  live  to 
Thine  Honour  and  Glory, 

ALMIGHTY  God,  we  beseech  Thee  to  bless 
us  Thy  servants,  and  those  near  and 
dear  to  us.  Forgive  us  our  sins,  bless  the 
labours  of  the  day  and  watch  over  us  with 
Thy  tender  care,   for  Christ's   Sake.    Amen. 

THE  Grace  <i<  of  Our  Lord   Jesus  Christ, 
etc. 


XVI 

FORM  OF  CONFESSION  TO  A  PRIEST » 

(On  entering  the  Church  for  Confession,  first  kneel  down 
and  say  privately:) 


UR  Father,  Who  art  in  Heaven,  etc. 
ORD,  have   mercy  on   me,   a  sinner. 


O 

IS 

I    SAID    I    will    confess    my    sins    unto    the 
Lord,  and  so  Thou  forgivest  the  wicked- 
ness of  my  sin. 

OLORD,  we  beseech  Thee,  mercifully  hear 
our  prayers  and  spare  all  those  who 
confess  their  sins  unto  Thee ;  that  we  whose 
consciences  by  sin  are  accused  by  Thy  mer- 
ciful pardon  may  be  absolved,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  Our  Lord.     Amen. 

(When  your  turn  comes,  go   to  the  appointed  place,  and 
kneeling  down,  say:) 

IN  the  Name  ►f"  of  the  Father  and  of  the 
Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen. 

Penitent:    Father,    give    me    thy   blessing. 

Priest:  The  Lord  be  with  thy  heart  and  lips 
that  thou  mayest  humbly  and  faithfully  con- 
fess thy  sins,  in  the  Name  of  the  Father  and 
of  the  Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    Amen, 

^$ee  Section  on  Confession,  page  24.  and  the  Questions  and 
Devotions  for  Preparation  on  page  6g. 

190 


SACRAMENTAL   CONFESSION  I9I 

(TJien  say  very  penitently:) 

Penitent:  I  confess  unto  God  Almighty, 
the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  before  the 
whole  company  of  Heaven,  and  to  you,  father, 
that  I  have  sinned  exceedingly  in  thought, 
word,  and  deed,  through  my  fault,  my  ov^-ii 
fault,  my  ov^n  most  grievous  fault,  and  espe- 
cially (since  my  last  confession)  I  accuse 
myself  of  the  follov^ing  sins: 

(Here  ^.name  your  sins,  hiding  nothing,  and  truthfully 
answering  any  questions  which  are  asked  by  God's 
minister.) 

For  these  and  all  other  sins  which  I  cannot 
now  remember  I  am  heartily  sorry  and  firmly 
purpose  amendment,  humbly  asking  of  God 
pardon  and  forgiveness,  with  space  to  lead  a 
better  life,  and  of  you,  father,  penance,  coun- 
sel, and  absolution.  Wherefore,  I  beseech 
God  to  have  mercy  upon  me,  through  the 
Merits  and  Mediation  of  Jesus  Christ,  and 
you,  father,  to  pray  for  me  unto  the  Lord. 

{After  the  Priest  has  given  his  Counsel  and  Penance  and 
satisfied  himself  of  your  Faith,  Hope,  Love,  and  Repent- 
ance, he  will  give  God's  Absolution  as  follows:) 

Priest:  May  the  Almighty  Lord  grant  thee 
absolution  and  remission  of  all  thy  sins,  space 
for  amendment  of  life,  and  the  grace  and 
comfort  of  His  Holy  Spirit. 

Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Who  hath  left  power 
to  His  Church  to  absolve  all  sinners  who  truly 
repent  and  believe  in  Him,  of  His  great  mercy 
forgive  thee  thine  offences.  And  by  His 
authority  committed  unto  me,  I  absolve  thee  '^ 
irom  all  thy  sins,  in  the  Name  of  the  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 


XVII 
AN  AFTERWORD  OF  COUNSEL. 

IT  should  ever  be  remembered  that  a  right  life 
and  a  right  belief  should  go  hand  in  hand. 
Neither  one  is  acceptable  to  God  without  the 
other.  "  Faith  without  works  is  dead." 
Christian  character  shows  in  a  holy  life  and 
the  members  of  the  Church  should  by  their 
word  and  example  show  the  sincerity  of  their 
Faith  and  Worship  and  the  power  of  Sacra- 
mental Grace  in  their  lives.  They  should 
stand  for  high  ideals  in  the  Home,  in  Society, 
in  Business  and  on  the  Stage.  They  should 
uphold  the  Sanctity  of  Marriage.  They  should 
never  countenance  divorced  persons  who  enter 
into  sinful  union  called  "  remarriage.''  They 
should  condemn  drunkenness,  gambling  and 
immorality,  and  keep  themselves  as  "temples 
of  the  Holy  Ghost."  They  should  take  a 
definite  stand  against  all  manner  of  corruption 
and  wrong  doing,  and  in  every  way  put  into 
practice  the  Religion  which  they  profess,  cul- 
tivating "  Holiness  without  which  no  man  shall 
see  the  Lord."  They  should  stand  firmly  in 
the  Holy  Catholic  Church,  ever  having  an 
answer  for  the  Religion  which  they  hold  and 
ever  being  on  their  guard  against  the  "danger 
of  drifting,"  realizing  that  the  great  weapon 
against  "false  doctrine,  heresy  and  schism"  is 
"earnestly  to  contend  for  the  Faith  which  was 
once  for  all  delivered  to  the  Saints"  and  to 
keep  that  Faith  inviolate,  in  its  integrity. 
15)4 


ADORATION  195 

NOW  upon  the  golden  Altar, 
In  the  midst,  before  the  Throne, 
Incense   of    His    Intercession, 

He  is  offering^  for   His   Own. 
And  on  earth  at  all  His  Altars. 

His    True    Presence    we    adore, 
And  His  Sacrifice  is  pleaded 

Until  time   shall  be  no   more. 
Alleluia !     Alleluia ! 

To  the  Incarnate  Son   A  God, 
IWho,    a    Priest    now    and    forever, 

Still  imparts  His  Flesh  and  Blood. 

Then  adored  in  Highest  Heaven 

May  we  see  the  Virgin's  Son, 
All  creation  bowed   before   Him, 

There   upon  the   eternal    Throne : 
Where  the  sound  of  many  waters 

In  one  ever  rising  flood. 
Myriad  voices  hymn  His  Triumph 

Priest  and  Victim,  Man  and  God. 
Worthy  He  all  praise  and  blessing. 

Who  by  dying,    death   o'ercame; 
Glory  be  to   God  for  ever : 

Alleluia  to  the  Lamb ! 

(Adapted  from  "Hymns  A  and  M-") 


ig6  THE   PRACTICE  OF  RELIGION 


"  The  Lord  preserve  thy  going  out, 

The   Lord   preserve   thy   coming  in. 
God   send   His   angels   round  about 

To  keep  thy  soul  from  every  sin; 
And  when  thy  going  out  is  done, 

And  when  thy  coming  in  is  o'er, 
When  in   death's   darkness  all   alone. 

Thy  feet  can  come  and  go  no  more, 
The   Lord  preserve   thy   going   out 

From  this  dark  world  of  grief  and  sin. 
While  angels  standing  round  about,  ^ 

Sing,   '  God  preserve  thy  coming  in.'  '* 


Date  Due 

t*v- 

f 

^1 

Princeton  Theological  Semmary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  01004  4404 


